Box Score Clermont, FL – The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team extended its undefeated record Saturday, competing in its first day of the PFX Spring Games in Clermont Florida.

After collecting a pair of wins during their season-opening double header against Stevens Institute of Technology Wednesday before flying south, the Hawks (3-0) earned their third-straight victory following a 5-0 shutout over Nichols College.

Emily Fox earned the start for SUNY New Paltz. She struggled in her first start of the year against the Ducks, going just 2.1 innings and giving up seven hits and three runs, but shook off that performance and had a standout day in the circle. She went the full seven innings, gave up just four hits and two walks, while registering a career-high seven strikeouts on the afternoon. 

"Emily did a great job today," said Hawks coach Krysti Maronski. "I was proud of her for letting last game go and coming out with confidence today."

She was backed up offensively by a bevy of Hawks, as six different players registered a hit in the game with Taylor LaFrance, Celia Santini, Shannon Fee and Michaela Damore all having multi-hit games. Damore's bat led the way, however, as the junior recorded her first home run as a Hawk against the Bison to give her team a two-run cushion in the bottom of the second inning.

Nikki Bowen led off the inning with a walk, followed by Damore who stepped up to crush a ball over the left field fence to put her team on the board.

"Michaela has been having great at-bats and has really been a tough competitor at the plate," Maronski said.  "It was awesome to see her hit the ball out today. You knew it was gone right away. We know she has the potential to provide this team with a lot of power."

With Fox pitching a gem, SUNY New Paltz extended its cushion in the bottom of the fifth. Fee started the rally with a one-out single up the middle. Bowen added a single of her own to right field to advance Fee over to third, who eventually scored on a wild pitch in the ensuing at-bat. Damore then came up to the plate and again was clutch with runners on, striking a hard hit double to right field to score Bowen and extend the Hawks lead to 4-0. SUNY New Paltz tacked on one more in the sixth. LaFrance was the catalyst, starting the inning with a double to left field. Meagan Blair, seeing her first at-bat of 2019, took advantage of the opportunity and delivered a pinch hit RBI single to score LaFrance and give her team a 5-0 lead.

"We had plenty of people contribute today and I love that we can call on so many people to get the job done," Maronski said. "Meagan had a great approach at the plate and came through when we needed it."

The Hawks were scheduled to also play Rutgers University-Camden following their win over Nichols, but the game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs due to a storm coming through. The score was tied at 4-4, but because the game didn't finish out the full five innings no stats or results counted toward the season. No make up date was set following the cancelation.

SUNY New Paltz is back in action Sunday, playing two games against Stevenson University at 11:30 a.m. and Allegheny College at 1:45 p.m.

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