Hawks Make SUNYAC Playoffs for First Time Since 1998

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz softball team hosted Fredonia today in their final regular season SUNYAC doubleheader. The Hawks swept the Blue Devils 2-0 and 8-0 in six innings to secure their spot in the SUNYAC playoffs. This is the first berth to the SUNYACs for the Hawks since 1998 when New Paltz lost to Buffalo State 1-0 and Geneseo 7-2. New Paltz complete the regular season at 17-19 and 10-10 in SUNYAC play, the most conference wins for the New Paltz program.

In game one, the Hawks used two unearned runs to claim the 2-0 victory. With a runner on first for the Blue Devils, the batter reached first on an error by the third baseman and advanced to second on the overthrow. The original runner on first took two bases and tried for the score at home but was thrown out from right field by Lauren Motzkin to home, with Dale Cornelius at catcher to make the tag for the third out.
The Hawks started the bottom of the inning with Gina Marano reaching first on a passed ball on the third strike. Elizabeth May came in to pinch run and advanced to second on a single bunt by Amy O’Brien. Designated hitter Erin Fitzpatrick advanced all runners on a sacrifice bunt. With runners on second and third the Blue Devils held strong and took out the next two batters to keep the game scoreless.
In the fifth inning, with one out Erin Fitzpatrick reached first on an error by the Fredonia short stop and advanced to second. Christina Charvat sacrifice bunted Fitzpatrick to third. With two outs and the go ahead run on third, Motzkin nailed an RBI double to right center for the 1-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, Melyssa Cilmi reached in a third baseman error and advanced to second on a sac-bunt by Amalia DiTrapani. Cilmi reached third on a passed ball, and scored on an RBI single by Joelle Von Bischoffhausen for the final 2-0 score.
New Paltz registered five hits compared to Fredonia’s three hits. Kelly O’Hea earned the win from the pitching circle, allowing three hits and five walks with three strikeouts.

In game two, the Hawks tallied four hits and three runs, including a two run RBI triple by Cilmi for the early 3-0 lead. In the third inning, Fitzpatrick started off with a solo home run. Elizabeth May reached on an error by the third baseman, stole second an advanced to third on a passed ball. Cornelius hit an RBI single to score May for the 5-0 lead.
The Hawks tacked on their final three runs in the sixth on a Victoria Kyle groundout RBI and a two run RBI single by Marano.
Fitzpatrick, Cornelius, Cilmi and Motzkin each went two for three from the plate as the Hawks totaled nine hits. Junior Michelle Reinke threw a one-hitter with six strikeouts.

The SUNYAC tournament will be held May 3rd-5th at the highest seed.