CORAL SPRINGS, FL — The SUNY New Paltz softball team finished this afternoon with a split, dropping the first contest to Cardinal Stritch 3-0, before bouncing back to earn a 6-5 win over Middlebury College.
Sophomore pitcher Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) held Cardinal Stritch scoreless until they grabbed a two-run advantage in the bottom of the fifth. The Wolves manufactured another run in the seventh to secure the 3-0 win. Reinke (1-2) pitched seven innings striking out six, allowing eight hits and walking three in the loss. Junior catcher Margaret Blair (Lake Peekskill, NY) and sophomore right fielder Lauren Motzkin (Woodstock, NY) each had one hit for the Hawks.
In the second game, SUNY New Paltz (2-4) faced Middlebury College in a hard-fought battle. Entering the bottom of the seventh inning down 5-3, Motzkin laced a double to left center to start the rally. Senior first baseman Liz McPartlan (Huntington Station, NY) followed, roping a ball off the glove of the Middlebury third baseman. Senior third baseman Danielle Porcelli (Huntington Station, NY) drew an intentional walk to load the bases for senior second baseman Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ). Wong, sophomore shortstop Amalia Ditrapani (Staten Island, NY), and freshman designated player Gina Morano (Shirley, NY) laced back-to-back-to-back singles scoring three runs lead the Hawks’ to their second win of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Kelly O’Hea (Huntington Station, NY) allowed ten hits, four runs, and struck out two in five innings for SUNY New Paltz (2-4). Reinke (2-2) allowed four hits, struck out two, and gave up a run to secure the win in two innings of relief work. Ditrapani went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Motzkin went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Porcelli continues to ignite the Hawks’ offense. She went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. In her first six games, Porcelli is 9-for-18 with three doubles and a triple.
The SUNY New Paltz softball team will continue play on Thursday, March 23, against University of Wisconsin-Superior and the University of Chicago.
