Softball Winning Streak Climbs to Ten, As Hawks Sweep SUNY IT

UTICA, NY — The Hawks tied the longest winning streak in program history, ten games, as they swept conference rival SUNY IT in this afternoon’s doubleheader. SUNY New Paltz improves to 15-13 after defeating the Wildcats 6-1 and 7-0. The last softball team to record ten consecutive wins was the 1987 New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) Championship team.

Sophomore pitcher Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) has now allowed one hit or less in five starts this season. Reinke picked up her 10th win of the year, giving up one run on one hit, while walking two and striking out four in seven innings. Sophomore outfielder Lauren Motzkin (Woodstock, NY), freshman designated hitter Gina Morano (Shirley, NY) and senior second baseman Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ) each recorded RBI singles in the first inning to propel the Hawks to an early 3-1 lead. SUNY New Paltz (15-13, 5-7) scored a run in the second, third and fourth innings to take the 6-1 victory. Sophomore outfielder Joelle VonBischoffshausen (North Brunswick, NJ) and senior first baseman Liz McPartlan (Huntington Station, NY) each totaled three hits in the contest to lead the Hawks. Morano went 2-for-3 and junior catcher Margaret Blair (Lake Peekskill, NY) collected a hit and scored twice.

Outfielder Laura Giancone recorded the lone hit for SUNY IT (2-22, 1-13) with a double in the fifth.

Wong and junior outfielder Amy O’Brien (LaGrangeville, NY) each knocked in two runs, as sophomore pitcher Kelly O’Hea (Huntington Station, NY) pitched her second complete game shutout of 2006 to earn her fifth win. O’Hea spread ten hits over seven innings of work, while walking one and striking out five, to post the Hawks’ 15th win of the season. Blair, McPartlan and Morano sparked SUNY New Paltz to three runs in the third, as a single from Wong and a double from O’Brien plated four runs in the fifth. Motzkin went 3-for-4, doubled and scored twice. McPartlan, Wong and O’Brien each totaled two hits.

The SUNY New Paltz softball team will host Cortland in a 3:00 pm conference doubleheader on Friday, April 21.