Softball Splits with Plattsburgh for Third Win Over Cardinals All-Time

NEW PALTZ, NY — The softball team hosted Plattsburgh this afternoon in a SUNYAC doubleheader and split with the Cardinals. Plattsburgh claimed game one 7-3 before the Hawks took the second game with a 1-0 decision. The Plattsburgh State softball team was a preseason No. 3 ranking in NCAA Division III in the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association. New Paltz is now 3-17 all-time against the Cardinals. The Hawks defeated Plattsburgh for the first time in 1999 with a 10-6 victory and won a 6-5 decision in 2007.
In game one, New Paltz rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t enough as Plattsburgh won 7-3. Amalia DiTrapani singled down the left field line to get things started and advanced to third on a double by Erin Fitzpatrick. Mel Cilmi was intentionally walked. With two outs and bases loaded, Lauren Motzkin hit a two run RBI double to left field. Dale Cornelius singled to hit home the final run before being picked off at first.
Cilmi went 2-2 from the plate to lead the Hawks with two doubles. Motzkin was 2-4 and caught two Plattsburgh players stealing. New Paltz totaled eight hits (four doubles) and left seven on base, in addition to being walked intentionally three times by Plattsburgh.
Courtney Costello took the loss on the mound allowing five hits, three runs and five walks in 2.1 innings.
In the second game, Brittany O’Hara singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gina Marano in the third inning. With two outs and O’Hara on second, Elizabeth May hit a triple to right field, scoring O’Hara which would prove to be the game winning run. In the fifth inning, Plattsburgh had a runner on third with two outs when Michelle Reinke threw her fifth strikeout of the game.
Reinke earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete game and allowing three hits, one walk and striking out five batters. New Paltz totaled four hits and left four on base, while Plattsburgh totaled three hits and left five on base.
New Paltz returns to action tomorrow when they host Potsdam at 1pm.