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CLERMONT, Fla. – The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team (4-8) saw a rare non-conference tripleheader schedule on Thursday in New Paltz's last Florida games of the season. The Hawks first defeated Trinity College (6-4) by an 8-0 margin in five innings before dropping a tight 1-0 decision to Babson College (6-6). The late-afternoon finale saw New Paltz defeat Wesleyan College (4-10) in a squeaker, 5-4.

In game one against the Bantams, the Hawk offense was too strong to be unleashed for a full seven frames, as the game was called after five innings due to the 8-0 New Paltz lead.

Junior shortstop Melissa Liotta (Brentwood, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Both freshman right fielder Marissa Monaco (Bohemia, N.Y./Connequot) and sophomore first baseman Chelsea Kull (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) went 1-for-2 in game one, each netting two RBI. Junior starting pitcher Amber Carozza (Milton, N.Y./Marlboro) earned the victory with a complete game shutout, striking out five while only allowing two hits and two walks, thanks in part to her batterymate, senior catcher Jenna Curcio (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley).

In game two against the Beavers, both teams suddenly found offense coming at a premium. Babson scored the only run of the game in the third inning after getting its leadoff hitter on base with a double. Pinch runner Megan Hayes was able to advance around to home plate for Babson via two productive outs from her teammates, establishing the eventual 1-0 margin of victory.

Freshman second baseman Emily Mouillesseaux (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) tried to respond in the bottom half of the frame, getting herself on base with a single. She came the closest to scoring for the Hawks, but was mowed down at home after rounding third on a single by Liotta. After the third inning, the Hawks were unable to progress a runner past second base, although they held the Beavers to the same fate. Mouillesseaux lead the Hawks with her 2-for-3 effort in the contest, with Liotta and junior center fielder Andrea Feeney (Ulster Park, N.Y./Kingston) hitting 2-for-4 in the day's middle game.

In game three against the Cardinals, the Hawks trailed 2-0 going into the home half of the third inning. A two-RBI single by Monaco evened the score before Wesleyan could record an out in the inning. The Hawks took a permanent lead in the fourth inning, starting off with a Mouillesseaux walk. She advanced on a sacrifice bunt by senior left fielder Kristen Schork (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley). A Liotta single sent Mouillesseaux to third, with Liotta stealing her second base of the game soon after. An error and a Kull single led to a total of three runs scored on the inning.

The Cardinals would go on to score a run in each of the fifth and seventh innings, but could not pull even with the Hawks. Liotta led the New Paltz charge in its final Florida game of the season, hitting 2-of-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

With that, the Hawks have finished the opening segment of their season, taking place entirely in Clermont, Fla. The team kicks back into action on Wednesday, March 28, when the Hawks open their home schedule with a doubleheader against non-conference Mount Saint Mary College. The front end of the double-dip is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Mary Gray Deane Field.