SUNY New Paltz women’s softball team begins the 2009 season coming off a 25-18 campaign in 2008, most wins in a season, under third year head coach Kristina Katori. The Hawks finished 13-9 in conference play and finished fifth in the SUNYAC tournament. New Paltz returns nine from last years squad, but will need to replace the production provided by graduates Amalia DiTrapani at shortstop and 2008 All-American Lauren Motzkin at catcher/outfield.
New Paltz benefits from three starting outfield returnees from a year ago in centerfielder Melyssa Cilmi (Huntington Station/Walt Whitman), rightfielder Erin Fitzpatrick (Delmar/Bethlehem Central) and leftfielder Victoria Kyle (Staten Island/Curtis). Cilmi led the conference with eight outfield assists and hit .336 at the plate in 2008, scored 35 runs and 22 RBI on her way to the National Coaches Fastpitch Association (NFCA) third team All-Region and All-SUNYAC honors. Fitzpatrick hit .318, batted in 20 runs and compiled a .947 fielding percentage and Kyle will continue to be known for her speed on the bases and in the field tracking balls as she amassed a .900 fielding percentage. Junior Rose Dovi (Cortland) will rotate into the outfield when Cilmi steps in to play third base. Dovi may also see some time as the designated player. First years Victoria Holm (Floral Park) and Jacqueline Masseo (Staten Island/Wagner) will provide depth in the outfield.
Junior Justine Scutaro (Shoreham/Shoreham-Wading River) will move from third base to shortstop to replace the hole left by DiTrapani. Scutaro hit .310, scored 21 runs with 40 hits and drove in a conference leading 36 RBI. Junior Elizabeth May (Commack) will combine with Scutaro to provide the Hawks with a solid middle infield. May hit .256 last season, including a team high 10 sacrifice hits. First year Samantha Barra (Islip) will fill the role at third base as she provides a strong arm and solid bat to the line-up. Sophomore Jordan Paley (Albany) and first year Cassie Barcavage (Cold Spring/Haldane) will each see time at first base. Paley saw action in 22 games during the 2008 season with a .989 fielding percentage. Elizabeth Tong (Woodstock/Onteora) will be used for her speed in a utility role as she will see time as a pinch runner and provide relief for May in the infield as a defensive second baseman. Tong saw action in 27 games and compiled a .939 fielding percentage.
Junior Dale Cornelius (Carle Place) returns to her utility position as she hit .331 with 10 extra base hits, 33 RBI and a .938 fielding percentage last season. She will provide her veteran knowledge behind the plate and keep her hard-hitting bat in the lineup as the designated hitter. First year Jenna Curcio (Conklin/Susquehanna Valley) will add a strong arm and a good eye to the backstop position as she will split time with Cornelius.
Sophomore Courtney Costello (Bayport/Bayport-Blue Point) is the only returner to the pitching staff. Costello compiled a 10-9 record in 28 appearances, tossing 43 strikeouts in 114.2 innings with a 3.77 ERA. Katori is excited to see what newcomers Devon Kelly (Baldwin), Sara Palleschi (Chatham) and Alyssa Oliva (Fishkill/John Jay) will bring to the mound.
The Hawks open their season during spring break (March 15-21) at the Gene Cusic Classic in Ft. Myers, Florida, with the home opener coming on Friday March 27th at 3:00 p.m. against Geneseo.
