2017 Roster
2017 Schedule
2016 Statistics

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – After reaching the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament last season, the softball team at the State University of New York at New Paltz looks to not only return to the tournament, but advance further than ever before in the 2017 season.

At the reigns for the Hawks is first-year head coach Samantha Miller and second-year assistant Shauna Mulkerin, who are ready to take on the challenge ahead.

"We know that New Paltz has made it to the conference tournament but why settle with just make it there?" said Miller. "It does not matter to me what seed we are because at the end of the day, the team left standing is the only one that matters."

Despite losing the talents of Second-Team All-SUNYAC honoree Katie Rutcofsky and Jordan Fiore, the Hawks return most of their roster from the 2016 campaign and add a slew of newcomers to the team for the upcoming season.

"I think it is a bit easier coming into a program with a great group of kids," stated Miller. "They work hard, they have a tremendous amount of talent and it is easier that I have been able to come in and see the untapped potential, being a pitching coach and having been a field player on top of that, so it has given them a whole new perspective.

"My expectations for the individual players is to leave everything on the field. Don't live with any regrets after you leave here and make sure you teach the team what it means to be a successful softball player."

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Pitchers
Stepping back into the circle this for the Hawks will be junior Lauren Cappello (New City, N.Y./Albertus Magnus), who struck out 17 batters in nine appearances last year and was also a key first baseman for New Paltz, finishing with a .979 fielding percentage.

Senior Kiersten Carlomagno (Commack, N.Y./Commack), another team veteran, will be making her pitching debut in 2017, along with freshman Taylor Schoen (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge).

Infielders

Junior Alexa Mastando (Miller Place, N.Y./Rocky Point) returns to her spot at third base, having accumulated a .897 fielding percentage, 35 putouts and 64 assists in the previous season.

Also adding depth to the infield are sophomores Taylor LaFrance (New Windsor, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) and Shannon Fee (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermeulen). LaFrance fashioned a .947 fielding percentage at shortstop along with 64 put outs and 62 assists while Fee recorded a .940 fielding percentage, 44 putouts and 19 assists at second base.

Joining the infield ranks are freshmen Caroline Alicandri (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River), Meagan Blair (Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe Woodbury) and Kelsey Trudden (Broad Channel, N.Y./The Mary Louis Academy).

Outfielders
New Paltz brings back its core group of outfielders from the previous season, including senior Fallon Spriggs (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) who led the team with a .566 slugging percentage, 25 runs, 22 RBI, 19 stolen bases and set a program record with six home runs. Other key returners to the outfield are juniors Julia Perhacs (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville), Danielle Bruno (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) and Taylor Leonette (East Patchogue, N.Y./Bellport).

A lead-off hitter for the Hawks, Perhacs led the team in at bats (119) and hits (38), fashioned a .454 slugging percentage and tallied 14 RBI and 38 putouts while Bruno finished 2016 with a .411 slugging percentage and a .944 fielding percentage as New Paltz's primary right fielder.

The Hawks will also look to newcomers Nicole DePaola (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East), Cristina DePaola (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East), Elizabeth Wickizer (Binghamton, N.Y./Windsor Central) and Julia DiSpignia (New Windsor, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) to help field the ball.

Catchers
Despite sitting out for most of the 2016 season due to injury, senior Megan Carbia (Tomkins Grove, N.Y./North Rockland) will return behind the plate for the Hawks in addition to senior Nicole DeCosta (Stormville, N.Y./John Jay-East Fishkill), who will split her time between home plate and the infield.

DeCosta served as the team's designated hitter and concluded last year second on the team with 20 RBI, tallied seven doubles and 39 total bases while recording a .971 fielding percentage and a .371 slugging percentage.

Sophomore Madison Rappold (Yaphank, N.Y./Longwood) will also contend for time behind the plate in her debut season with the Hawks.

The Hawks kick off their 2017 campaign at the Seagull Classic hosted by Salisbury College from Saturday-Sunday, March 11. New Paltz will open its home season on Wednesday, March 28 against Ramapo College before commencing SUNYAC play against SUNY Plattsburgh on April 1.