FT. MYERS, FL — The softball team faced Wooster this afternoon and posted their first shutout of the season with a 4-0 win. The Hawks faced Rogers Williams in the second game and won a thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind victory in the seventh inning.
“The team looked solid, the pitchers threw strikes, the defense made plays and the team came up with timely hitting,” stated Barry Motzkin. “Definitely the best start in the past four years for New Paltz softball.”
In the first game, the Hawks scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Justine Scutaro led off with a triple to right center and was hit home on a single by senior Amalia DiTrapani. New Paltz tallied three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-0 lead. Erin Fitzpatrick singled to left field and advanced to second on a bunt by Melyssa Cilmi. Lauren Motzkin doubled down the right field line to move Fitzpatrick to third. Sophomore Dale Cornelius hit an RBI single to score Fitzpatrick. DiTrapani singled to right center to score Motzkin and Cornelius scored on a Wooster error.
In the top of the fifth inning Wooster had bases load with one out and Brittany O’Hara came up with a huge strikeout for the Hawks. With bases still loaded, Wooster hit a shot to left field which was caught by Victoria Kyle to end the inning, allowing zero runs and three left on base.
DiTrapani was 2-2 from the plate with two RBIs and Scutaro was 2-4 to lead the team, while Fitzpatrick made four fantastic catches in right field. New Paltz registered nine hits and left 10 on base, while Wooster tallied four hits and left six on base. O’Hara earned her first win on the mound, pitching 5.1 innings allowing four hits one walk and striking out two. Courtney Costello preserved the save in the final 1.2 innings.
In the second game Roger Williams took a 2-0 lead in the third inning and tacked on their final run in the top of the seventh for a 3-0 lead. New Paltz had to battle back and came through. With one out, O’Hara reached on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second on a May walk. Costello pinch hit and came through with a clutch single over second base. Kyle who was due for hit after having two shots to the outfield taken away by great catches, knocked a single up the middle for two RBIs. Cilmi reached on a fielder’s choice as Roger Williams made their second out a third base. Motzkin hit a long shot double that bounced under the fence to advance runners and even the ball game at 3-3. With runners on second and third Rogers William intentionally walked Cornelius. With bases loaded and two outs Scutaro stepped to the plate and came through with a single between short and second, to send Cilmi home for the game winning run.
Motzkin was 2-4 from the plate as New Paltz registered four of their seven hits in the final inning. Senior Kelly O’Hea pitched a complete game earning her third win on the mound, allowing five hits, three runs, one walk and striking out two batters.
New Paltz returns to action on Thursday when they play Alverno and UMass-Dartmouth at 9 and 11am.
