Hawks’ Softball Routs Mount St. Mary in Home Opener

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz softball squad took the first game of a doubleheader from Mount Saint Mary College by a score of 6-0 this afternoon at the Mary Gray Deane Field. The two teams did not play the second game of the doubleheader as it was called due to darkness. The Knights fell to 3-7 on the season, while the Hawks improved to 3-5 overall.

SUNY New Paltz was led by junior catcher Margaret Blair (Lake Peekskill, NY), whose 3-for-3 effort, featured a walk and two RBI. Sophomore pitcher Michelle Reinke (3-2, St. James, NY) picked up the win for the Hawks, while freshman pitcher Christina Maiocco (1-4, Rockaway Beach, NY) took the loss for Mount St. Mary College. Reinke went the distance, yielding just two hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.

The Hawks struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Blair and sophomore shortstop Amalia Ditrapani (Staten Island, NY) received back-to-back walks from Maiocco. Blair and Ditrapani then advanced on a ground out by sophomore right fielder Lauren Motzkin (Woodstock, NY) and Blair would score on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the second inning, Blair had a base hit scoring senior second baseman Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ). SUNY New Paltz would hold a 2-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Hawks would light up Maiocco, scoring four runs on six hits. Seniors Liz McPartlan (Huntington Station, NY) and Danielle Porcelli (Huntington Station, NY) each launched doubles into the gaps for SUNY New Paltz. Wong went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Knights were not able to shake Reinke, who held them scoreless. Mount St. Mary College received two hits from junior catcher Jennifer Weiner (Walden, NY) and sophomore first baseman Kathleen Donlon (East Rockaway, NY).

The SUNY New Paltz softball team returns to action tomorrow, March 30th, at 3:00 pm when they host Polytechnic at Mary Gray Deane Field.