Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2

Virginia Beach, VA — The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team opened up its regular season with a 16-6 victory over Allegheny College before falling to Frostburg State University, 14-5, on Friday afternoon. The victory marks the first time the Hawks won their season opener since 2015.

"Overall, we had a really good day one," SUNY New Paltz coach Samantha Miller said. "We saw a lot of positives throughout the entire day. We still have to work on some little things, but we're going to get back out on the field tomorrow and play two good teams again."

The Hawks' next game will be on Saturday at 10 a.m. against Hunter College, with a second game scheduled for 2 p.m. against SUNY Cobleskill.

Game One: New Paltz 16, Allegheny 6
The 16-run total for SUNY New Paltz is more than it scored in a single game all of last season.

Each team scored one run in the first inning, and the game remained tied until the top of the third when the Hawks exploded for seven runs to take a lead they would not surrender. All but two of the team's starters registered a hit in the win.

"A lot of people got hits in clutch situations, which allowed us to keep putting runs up on the board," Miller said. "It was great to see every person on our team contribute in one way or another."

SUNY New Paltz junior shortstop Taylor LaFrance led the offense with a 3-for-6 performance, including two doubles and a team-high four RBIs. Hawks senior outfielder Julia Perhacs went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBIs, one double and one stolen base, while SUNY New Paltz sophomore catcher Madison Rappold also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hawks junior second baseman Shannon Fee and SUNY New Paltz freshman designated hitter Nina Simms each contributed two RBIs.

Hawks sophomore Alyssa Pfitscher earned the win in her first game as a Hawk, pitching the first four innings and giving up three runs on three hits. SUNY New Paltz senior Lauren Cappello came in for relief, and tossed three innings and surrendered three runs on four hits while striking out one.

"We came out ready to compete in that first game," Miller said. "We did not let up at all throughout the whole game. It was great to start the season with a win underneath our belts."

Game Two: Frostburg 14, New Paltz 5 (5 Innings)
The Bobcats opened the game by scoring 14 runs in the first four innings. However, the Hawks showed their grit by scoring two runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth before a questionable interference call abruptly ended the game.

"We didn't give up," Miller said. "Their pitchers were very dominant, but we kept our confidence. It was really nice to see us not go down without a fight."

SUNY New Paltz senior outfielder Taylor Leonette went 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Fee and Hawks freshman outfielder Katie Conrad both recorded two RBIs, while SUNY New Paltz sophomore outfielder Nicole DePaola chipped in with one RBI.