Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team (13-6, 6-0 SUNYAC) earned a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) doubleheader sweep over SUNY Potsdam (6-8, 0-6 SUNYAC) on Friday afternoon at Mary Gray Deane Field, defeating the Bears, 15-0, in five innings in game one before pulling out a 3-2 victory in the nightcap. It marked the first two home games of the 2013 season for the Hawks.

Senior pitcher Amber Carozza (Milton, N.Y./Marlboro) hurled her first career no-hitter in game one, as the Hawks put on a dominant offensive display.

New Paltz plated four runs in the first, five runs in the second, five runs in the third and one run in the fourth. The Hawks accumulated a total of 17 hits in game one, which served as the team's highest single-game total since it pounded out 18 hits in the front end of a doubleheader against Potsdam on April 6, 2012.

Sophomore designated player Shayna Burgess (Smithtown, N.Y./Commack), senior second baseman/designated player Melissa Liotta (Brentwood, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), sophomore right fielder Marissa Monaco (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot), junior first baseman Chelsea Kull (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) and sophomore third baseman Meg Brewer (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) each boasted multiple hits for the Hawks in game one. Burgess went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two doubles, Liotta went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, three RBI and a triple, Monaco went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI, Kull went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double and Brewer went 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs scored and a home run.

Carozza hurled a gem in the winning effort, permitting just one walk while striking out nine over five frames of duty. Megan Johnson suffered the loss for Potsdam, giving up nine runs off 10 hits while striking out one. Ashley Thayer tossed 2 1/3 innings in relief, yielding six runs—four of which were earned—off seven hits, two hit by pitches and one walk while striking out one.

The Bears battled the Hawks in game two, as Potsdam outhit New Paltz, 7-5.

New Paltz got on the board in the home half of the first, scoring twice. Monaco plated Burgess with a single through the left side and eventually came across herself off a Potsdam throwing error.

Jordan Sarat gave Potsdam its first run of the twinbill in the second, scoring Molly McCuin with a double to left center. The Bears tied the score in the fourth, as Sarat brought in McCuin once again with a double to left.

Liotta broke a 2-all tie in the fifth, singling through the left side and pushing across Burgess. That wound up being the difference in the contest, as freshman pitcher Katie Rutcofsky (Plainview, N.Y./Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy) allowed just one hit in the final two innings.

Burgess was the lone Hawk with a multi-hit performance in the nightcap, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Ashley Thayer ignited the Bear offense by going 3-for-4, while Sarat had two doubles in a 2-for-3 outing.

Rutcofsky earned the win in relief, lasting 3 2/3 innings. She held Potsdam scoreless while allowing two hits and striking out four. Brewer drew the start and did not earn a decision, permitting two runs—one of which was earned—off five hits and one walk while striking out two. Sarat suffered the loss, yielding three runs—two of which were earned—off five hits, two walks and a hit by pitch while striking out six.

New Paltz looks to continue its momentum tomorrow afternoon, as it squares off with SUNY Plattsburgh in a 12 p.m. doubleheader.