FT. MYERS, FL — The softball team completed their spring break trip in Ft. Myers, FL today with a doubleheader against Colby. The Hawks fell in the final inning of both games by scores of 7-6 and 3-2 to drop to 7-5 on the season.
In the first game, Colby claimed a 7-6 win in eight innings. Down 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh the Hawks made things interesting. Erin Fitzpatrick started off with a single up the middle and Mel Cilmi followed with a singe to right center. With two outs and runners on second and third, Brittany O’Hara came in to pinch hit and ripped a two run RBI single over second base to tie the game. With runners on first and second and two outs Elizabeth May stepped to the plate to face a new pitcher and was walked to load the bases. With bases loaded, two outs and a full count Jordan Paley grounded out to first base to send the game to extra innings. In the eighth, Colby advanced the runner on second to third on a sacrifice bunt. Alex Essman stepped to the plate and hit her second home run of the game to right field to put the White Mules up 7-5. The next two batters flew out to center field. In the bottom of the eighth, Liz Tong advanced to third on a bunt by Tori Kyle who beat the throw to first. With runners on first and second and one out, Cilmi hit and RBI single to right field. Dale Cornelius stepped to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second and grounded out to the shortstop to end the game with Colby on top 7-6.
Cilmi was 3-4 from the plate with two RBI and Fitzpatrick was 2-3 with one RBI to lead the Hawks. New Paltz registered 10 hits and left 11 on base, while Colby totaled 12 hits and left seven on base. Kelly O’Hea took the loss on the mound, throwing the final four innings allowing six hits, four runs and striking out two.
In the second game, Colby came from behind to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 3-2 final. New Paltz started the first inning with a single by Cornelius and she advanced to second on a walk by Scutaro. Amalia DiTrapani advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs and runners on second and third, Tong stepped up and hit a two run RBI single over second base for the 2-0 lead. Colby tallied one run in the sixth to cut the lead to one. In the bottom of the seventh Colby got their first runner on base with a single and she advanced to second on a passed ball. The next batter reached first on an error and stole second. The next batter walked to load bases. With zero outs and bases loaded, New Paltz brought in O’Hea as relief on the mound. With one out and the score 2-1 in favor of New Paltz, Colby hit a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game. With runners on first and second and two outs, Colby’s next batter hit a single to score the game winning run for the 3-2 final.
Cilmi, Cornelius, Scutaro and Tong each tallied one hit for New Paltz. Reinke took the loss on the mound allowing three hits, three runs, four walks and striking out seven batters in six innings.
New Paltz returns to action on Wednesday March 26th when they host Mt. St. Mary at 3pm.
