FT. MYERS, FL — The softball team opened their season today in Ft. Myers, FL and claimed a 15-7 win over Plymouth State in the first game before defeating Concordia 12-3 in the second game.
In the first game, New Paltz took a 1-0 lead in the first before Plymouth State evened the game in the second and tacked on three more runs in the third for the 4-1 lead. The Hawks responded with six runs on five hits with two outs in the fourth inning. Justine Scutaro doubled to right center, Amalia DiTrapani singled, Elizabeth May walked, Brittany O’Hara singled, Victoria Kyle singles and Erin Fitzpatrick finished the hitting with a homerun inside the park. Plymouth State answered with three runs on four hits in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 7-7. New Paltz kept their bats hot in the fifth inning with eight hits and seven runs, including a second inside the park homerun, this time by Melyssa Cilmi. The Hawks completed the scoring in the sixth inning with their final run of the game for the 15-7 final on a sacrifice fly to by May to score Scutaro. Fitzpatrick, Lauren Motzkin, Dale Cornelius, Scutaro and DiTrapani each registered two hits as the team combined for 15, leaving two runners on base. Senior Kelly O’Hea earned the win on the mound allowing 11 hits, one walk and striking out eight batters.
In game two, New Paltz kept the momentum going with the hot bats and scored all 12 runs in the first three innings. Concordia tallied their three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Fitzpatrick and Motzkin each went 3-3 from the plate and Scutaro and DiTrapani each tallied two hits. First year Courtney Costello claimed the win, allowing seven hits three runs and striking out three.
The Hawks return to action tomorrow morning against Edgewood at 9am, followed by Keene State at 11am.
