CORTLAND, NY- The New Paltz softball team fell to the top seeded Red Dragons of Cortland by the score of 6-0 Thursday morning on Dragon Field in the opening round of the SUNYAC Tournament. The Hawks fall to 20-17 overall and return to the field at 3 p.m. today against the loser of the Plattsburgh/Brockport game. Nationally ranked #7 Cortland improves to 35-6 overall and will return to action tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Senior pitcher Katie Finch (22-2) tossed a two-hitter for her 17th complete game of the year. She struck out eight and walked two to help Cortland advance to the next round.
Cortland took the early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Katie Fusco RBI single up the middle that scored Jessica Harman. Harman led the inning off with a triple into the left center gap.
The Hawks best opportunity came in the fourth inning when Melyssa Cilmi led the inning off with a double down the third base line. The Hawks were unable to bring home Cilmi as she was left stranded on third to end the inning.
With six hits in the fifth inning, the Red Dragons were able to score five runs to take a 6-0 lead.
Erin Fitzpatrick had the only other hit off Finch, who has a 0.71 ERA on the season and is allowing opponents just a .173 batting average.
Harman led the Red Dragons from the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI and Fusco was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Courtney Costello recorded the loss on the mound, allowing three runs on seven hits in three plus innings of work. Jillian Gallagher allowed three runs on two hits in one and two third innings of work. Alyssa Oliva pitched the final one and a third innings and allowed one hits and striking out one.
