FT. MYERS, FL — The softball team faced Edgewood this morning and won a thrilling 5-4 decision in the eighth inning before falling to Keene State 9-1 in six innings. The Hawks are 3-1 on the season and will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they play Wooster at 1pm and Roger Williams at 3pm.
In game one, the scored was tied at 3-3 after seven innings. In the eighth, Edgewood placed their runner on second and moved her to third on a bunt. She was sent home on a single up the middle. New Paltz had their work cut out for them trailing 4-3. With Victoria Kyle on second, she advanced to third on a ground out by Erin Fitzpatrick. Kyle was sent home on a RBI single to left field by Melyssa Cilmi. Lauren Motzkin reached first on a fielders choice and advanced to third on a single by Dale Cornelius and scored the game winning run on a single by Justine Scutaro to right center. The game started with Edgewood up 2-0 with a run in the second and the third inning. New Paltz tallied their first run of the game in the bottom of the third when Fitzpatrick scored off an error on the center fielder. Edgewood extended their lead to 3-1 in the fifth, before the Hawks responded with two hits and two runs in the bottom of the inning to even the game. Motzkin started the inning with a walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cornelius. Motzkin moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single to left field by May. O’Hara came in a pinched hit a single RBI scoring Amalia DiTrapani.
The Hawks registered 10 hits as Cornelius was 4-4 from the plate and May went 2-4. Senior Kelly O’Hea earned the win on the mound, allowing eight hits, three runs, two walks and striking out two. Michelle Reinke threw the first two innings and allowed two hits, one run, two walks and struck out two batters.
In game two, Keene State took an early 6-0 lead after two innings and never looked back. New Paltz tallied their lone run of the game in the third inning. Fitzpatrick singled up the middle and advanced home on three consecutive walks. Keene tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third and completed in the scoring in the sixth. The Hawks had three hits while Keene totaled 11. O’Hara took the loss on the mound allowing five hits, six runs, three walks and striking out two batters in two innings. Courtney Costello came in on relief in the final 3.1 innings and allowed six hits, three runs and one walk.
