Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Mahwah, N.J. – The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team split a pair of games at Ramapo College on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Roadrunners 3-1 in the first game before losing the second game 2-0.

"It was great to come back to the Northeast, play a high ranked team and show up like we know we can and do some good things," said head coach Samantha Miller.

The Hawks now hold a record of 7-9, while Ramapo, which were ranked No. 15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll last week, are now 9-5.

SUNY New Paltz will next play its home opener and begin SUNYAC play on Friday, hosting a doubleheader against SUNY Fredonia.

Game 1: SUNY New Paltz 3, Ramapo 1
The Roadrunners got on the board early as senior second baseman Ally Spellman drove in sophomore first baseman Jackie Howarth to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.

"We came out a little slow," Miller said. "A mental mistake allowed Ramapo to get on the board first, setting the tone for how we needed to respond. Our defense did an excellent job of holding them throughout the rest of the game."

The Hawks looked poised to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning, as they loaded the bases with one out. After a fielder's choice gave Ramapo two outs, Hawks sophomore third baseman Taylor Fischer and SUNY New Paltz sophomore outfield Julia DiSpigna drew back-to-back bases loaded walks to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.

"We made adjustments offensively, as our strategy was to become more selective and we took advantage of that," Miller said. "We loaded the bases and did our thing, putting the bat on the ball and putting pressure on them and their mistakes became our successes."

An RBI single from SUNY New Paltz junior catcher Madison Rappold in the fifth inning extended the lead to 3-1.

Hawks senior pitcher Lauren Cappello tossed all seven innings, surrendering just one run on six hits while striking out one to earn her fourth victory of the season. She also escaped a bases loaded jam in the third inning to keep it a one-run game.

"Lauren had a great game on the mound," Miller said. "She hit her spots and kept their batters guessing."

Rappold went 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring one run to go along with her one RBI. Cappello, Dispigna, SUNY New Paltz senior outfielder Julia Perhacs and Hawks junior second baseman Shannon Fee all recorded one hit, with Fee adding a stolen base to her day.

Game 2: Ramapo 2, SUNY New Paltz 0
Similar to the first game, the Roadrunners scored one run in the first inning to take an early lead. They would tack on another run in the third inning.

"Ramapo came out with fire," Miller said. "They got on the board first but after we made a couple of defensive and strategic changes, we once again did a great job of keeping their batters off balance."

Both teams were quiet on offense until Rappold led off the top of the seventh inning with a double. Hawks senior third baseman Alexa Mastando pinch-ran for Rappold and advanced to third on a groundout. Unfortunately, SUNY New Paltz could not drive her home as Ramapo recorded the shutout win.

"We kept putting pressure on them, but we just could not be effective in those situation," Miller said.

Hawks sophomore pitcher Alyssa Pfitscher sustained the loss, while Cappello pitched three scoreless innings in relief, giving up just one unearned run on two hits. SUNY New Paltz freshman pitcher Emily Fox also tossed three shutout innings, giving up just one hit.

Rappold again had a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 including a double. Fee and Fox each recorded one hit in the game.

"Our defense was a little shaky, but we played a good game against a very good team," Miller said.