NEW PALTZ, NY — The softball team hosted SUNYIT in a SUNYAC doubleheader this afternoon and split with the Wildcats. It took 2.5 hours and 10 innings to decide the first game with SUNYIT coming out on top 9-8, before New Paltz won the nightcap 6-5.
The Hawks trailed 6-1 after three innings, as the Wildcats got hot in the third with six runs on five hits. New Paltz cut the lead to 6-4 in the fourth. Justine Scutaro singled up the middle and advanced to second when Erin Fitzpatrick walked. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Gina Marano. Amalia DiTrapani walked to load bases. Scutaro scored on a passed ball which advanced other runners. Mel Cilmi reached on an error by the third baseman which brought Fitzpatrick home. Elizabeth May hit an RBI single to score DiTrapani for the 6-4 score. In the fifth inning, Scutaro hit a sacrifice fly to score Dale Cornelius who started the inning with a triple to right center. DiTrapani and hit the game tying RBI single to score Fitzpatrick. SUNYIT used three hits and one run to take the 7-6 lead in the top of the sixth as the Hawks went three and out.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cornelius hit a single and Liz Tong came in to pinch run. Tong stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Scutaro. Fitzpatrick hit an RBI single to left center for the game tying run to score Tong. With a runner on first and one out, O’Hara came in to pinch hit and had a single over the shortstop. DiTrapani came up with a single to short left field to load the bases. SUNYIT came up big with two strikeouts still breathe life and force the eighth inning.
SUNYIT and New Paltz each had a runner in scoring position on third base with two outs, but the respective defensive units held strong to force the ninth inning. Tied 7-7 heading into the tenth inning, IT started with a runner on second as part of the conference rules. With Carman Pagan on second, Kim Wintergerst reached on an error and advanced all the way to third, sending Pagan home. Andrea Beach then reached on a fielder’s choice, when the Hawks got Wintergerst out at home. With two outs and a runner on second, Heather Weber hit an RBI double to left field, which would prove to be the game winning run. In the bottom of the inning, New Paltz placed DiTrapani on second and she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tori Kyle. Cilmi had a sacrifice hit to score DiTrapani. With two outs, May doubled to left field and then Motzkin had a shot to left field that was caught to end the game.
DiTrapani and Fitzpatrick each went 2-3 from the plate as the Hawks totaled 11 hits. Courtney Costello took the loss allowing 10 hits and six runs in 7.2 innings.
In game two, New Paltz scored two runs in the first inning when Motzkin and Scuarto each had RBI singles. SUNYIT evened the score with two runs of their own in the second inning, before plating three runs in the fifth for the 5-2 lead. New Paltz registered five hits and four runs in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead and complete the scoring. Cilmi started the inning with a double to left field and was sent home on an RBI single up the middle by May. Motzkin and Cornelius had back to back singles to load bases with no outs. The next pitch was wild advancing all runners and scoring May. Scutaro then stepped to plate and nailed a two run RBI double to center field, before the next three batters were out.
Motzkin was 3-3 and Scutaro was 2-3 with three RBI to lead the Hawks. Michelle Reinke earned the win allowing one hit, two walks and striking out one batter in the final 2.1 innings.
New Paltz will return to action on Wednesday April 23rd when they travel to Russell Sage at 4pm.
