CAPE CORAL, FL — The SUNY New Paltz Hawks softball team continued play in Cape Coral, FL this afternoon and fell to Bethel 4-2 before defeating Lasell 4-3.
Bethel took a 2-0 lead with a run in the third and fourth inning. The Hawks made it a 2-1 game in the top of the fifth when junior Joelle Von Bischoffhausen singled to left field, followed by a Lauren Motzkin single bunt which advanced VonBischoffshausen to third. First year Victoria Kyle singled to send Von Bischoffhausen home for the score. Bethel scored in the fifth and sixth inning to make it 4-1.
The Hawks made it interesting at the top of the seventh when Motzkin singled down the right field line and first year Erin Fitzpatrick doubled to left center to send Motzkin home. Bethel quickly made a pitching change and took out the next three batters.
Dale Cornelius and Motzkin led the offense, each going two of three from the plate. Junior Michelle Reinke took the loss on the mound, allowing five hits, four runs and one strikeout.
In the second game, the Hawks faced Lasell and won 4-3. The Hawks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings. In the first, Kyle singled down the left field line and advanced to second on a Motzkin sacrifice bunt. Senior Amy O’Brien stepped to the plate and blasted a triple to score Kyle. Junior Amalia DiTrapani singled up the middle to send O’Brien home. In the second, Elizabeth May scored on a Motzkin right line single. Lasell took to the board in the third and tied the game with two runs in the top of the sixth. Melyssa Cilmi doubled to left field in the bottom of the sixth. Von Bischoffhausen singled to left field to send pinch runner Allison Ferullo home for the winning run.
Lasell made things interesting in the top of the seventh with a runner on third and second with two outs. But junior Kelly O’Hea kept her composure on the mound to strike out the batter for the third out to seal the win.
O’Hea allowed five hits, three runs, five walks and three strikeouts. Kyle went two of three from the plate and O’Brien went one of two with an RBI.
The Hawks return to action tomorrow morning when they face The University of Chicago and Plymouth State at 9 and 11 am.
