NEW PALTZ, NY — The softball team hosted Mt. St. Mary in a doubleheader this afternoon and swept the Blue Knights 7-2 and 8-4. The Hawks advance to 9-5 on the season and Mt. St. Mary’s drops to 1-7. “Game one was well played and well coached,” stated Barry Motzkin. “Sweeping a team your first game back in New York is a great start to the spring season.”
Mt. St. Mary led 1-0 after scoring a run in second inning on an RBI single to left center by Jen Weiner. New Paltz scored two runs in the bottom of the third when Justine Scutaro singled to right center to score Lauren Motzkin and Mel Cilmi who walked and reached on an error, respectively.
The Blue Knights evened the game in the top of the fourth with bases loaded when DelPiano hit a single to left center to score Maiocco who singled to start the inning, Romito was tagged out at home on a throw from Cilmi to Motzkin. In the bottom of the inning, Erin Fitzpatrick hit an RBI double to score Elizabeth May who started the inning with a walk. New Paltz increased their lead in the fifth on an RBI double by Scutaro. The Hawks tallied four hits and three runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring. Motzkin hit a two run RBI single and Dale Cornelius hit an RBI single.
Motzkin was 3-3 with two RBIs and Scutaro was 2-4 with three RBI to lead the Hawks from the plate. The Hawks registered nine hits and left seven on base while Mt. St. Mary totaled seven hits and left five on base. Courtney Costello earned the win on the mound allowing six hits, two runs, one walk and striking out four batters in four innings. Michelle Reinke preserved the save allowing one hit and striking out three in three innings. Erin Lappe took the loss on the mound for Mt. St. Mary.
In game two, New Paltz tallied four hits and four runs in the first inning for an early 4-0 lead. Cilmi started things with a triple to right field and was hit home on an RBI single down the left field line by Motzkin. With two outs and runners on first and second, Amalia DiTrapani hit a two run RBI single to left field and was brought home on a single by Brittany O’Hara. Mt. St. Mary fought back and scored two runs in the second and the third to even the game at 4-4. New Paltz posted four hits and three runs in the third inning to regain the lead. Motzkin doubled to left field and advanced to third on a single by Scutaro. DiTrapani brought Motzkin in on a single and Jordan Paley hit DiTrapani home with a single. The Hawks completed the scoring in the fifth inning the Blue Knights tried to pick off DiTrapani at third and had an overthrow to send her home.
Motzkin was 3-4, Paley was 2-3 and DiTrapani was 2-2 to lead the Hawks. Brittany O’Hara earned the win allowing three hits, four runs and four walks in four innings. Kelly O’Hea earned the save allowing three hits and striking out two batters in three innings. Erin Dammermuth took the loss for the Blue Knights.
New Paltz returns to action on Tuesday April 1st when they host Cortland at 3pm in a doubleheader to start SUNYAC play.
