Hawks Split on Final Day in Florida

CAPE CORAL, FL — The SUNY New Paltz softball team finished their spring break trip in Ft. Myers, FL today with a 3-1 loss against Union, followed by a 6-5 win against Colby.

In the first game, the Hawks their only run in the first when Dale Cornelius doubled to center field to send classmate Victoria Kyle home. Kyle reached first on error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Motzkin. She took third on a fielder’s choice to get the out at first. Union scored two runs in the bottom of the second, and followed with one run in the third.
Cornelius and senior Amy O’Brien each went two of four from the plate. Motzkin, Amalia DiTrapani, and Melyssa Cilmi each finished with one hit. Junior Michelle Reinke took the loss on the mound, allowing eight hits, three runs, one walk and striking out five.

New Paltz claimed a 6-5 win over the Colby Mules in the eighth, scoring two runs. The Hawks started the game out strong and scored three runs in the top of the first. Christina Charvat walked and was advanced to third on a Lauren Motzkin double to center field. Cornelius walked and first year Erin Fitzpatrick singled up the middle to advance all runners and score Charvat. O’Brien singled and batted in Motzkin. Cilmi walked to keep the bases loaded and send Cornelius home, with one out, but Colby struck out the next two batters.
New Paltz scored one run in the top of the second, in similar style to the first inning. Charvat walked and advanced to second on a Motzkin single. Cornelius singled, advancing both runners. Erin Fitzpatrick was out on an infield fly, which advanced runners and scored Charvat.
Colby scored one run in the third and tied the game with three runs in the fifth. Colby had a runner on second in the seventh inning with one out. Cilmi made a diving catch on a pop up bunt for the second out to hold the runner. The Hawks tallied the third out with a groundout to shortstop.
In the eighth inning, Joelle Von Bischoffhausen was placed on second based and advanced to third on a Gina Marano sacrifice bunt. Kyle singled and advanced to second on the throw, scoring Von Bischoffhausen. Charvat stepped to the plate and singled on a bunt and advanced to second on a throw sending Kyle home for the winning run.
Colby scored one run in the eighth. With one out and bases loaded the Hawks got the runner at home for the second out and the next batter grounded out to second base to seal the 6-5 win.
Kelly O’Hea pitched a complete game, allowing 13 hits, five runs and striking out four. Charvat, Motzkin, and Cilmi each went two for three from the plate.