New Paltz, NY — Despite a valiant effort in game two, nearly coming-from-behind and stealing a doubleheader split against SUNY Oneonta Wednesday, the State University of New York at New Paltz suffered back-to-back losses to the Red Dragons in their home opener, 8-5 and 4-3, respectively.
 
The Hawks struggled in the field in game one, committing five errors in the game that cost them six runs and the win.
 
Lindsay Roman earned the start for SUNY New Paltz and had a solid outing, as she held Oneonta scoreless until the top of the fifth. After the Hawks built a two-run advantage, the Red Dragons countered with a big four-run inning that began on an error at first to get their leadoff hitter on. Roman gave up a single through the left side of the infield on the next at-bat, but forced a ground out for the first of the inning. Oneonta broke through with another RBI single, then a sacrifice fly and followed with back-to-back RBI two-out hits to bring their lead to 4-2 before Katie Quagliana relieved Roman to earn the last out of the inning.

 
 
SUNY New Paltz responded in the bottom half of the inning and re-took the lead. After loading the bases with consecutive walks on no outs, Julia Mastrup came through with an RBI base hit to shallow right to cut the deficit to one. Carol Ann Campsey tied the game with a ground out and Nina Simms gave the Hawks the go-ahead run with an RBI base hit through the left side of the infield, scoring Ashley Puig.
 
The Hawks were three outs away from the win, holding a 5-4 lead going into the top of the seventh. However, another error allowed the Red Dragons leadoff hitter on once again and the miscues continued on the next play with another error to give Oneonta two runners on with no outs. A wild pitch by Quagliana advanced the runners into scoring position and Emily Fox came in to face the next batter, who doubled to left to plate two runs. Fox struck out the next batter for the first out, but a throwing error scored two more to bring the Red Dragons' lead to 8-5. Fox limited the damage from there, striking out back-to-back batters to end the inning.

SUNY New Paltz threatened in the bottom half in the inning, as a walk and a throwing error allowed Campsey and Simms on with two outs, but a ground out solidified the 8-5 outcome. 
Despite the tough loss in game one, the Hawks showed their resiliency in battling back from four runs down leading into the fifth. With limited daylight the fifth inning was fated to be the last of the day between the two teams.

Fox, who earned the start for game two, threw a 1-2-3 inning to get the momentum going heading into the bottom half. Isabella Shepherd opened up with a leadoff single, while Campsey and Simms followed with back-to-back hits to load the bases. Lauren Shambo brought home SUNY New Paltz's first run on a hit by pitch to score Shepherd and a batter later Celia Santini helped bring Campsey across after forcing an errant throw to first. Meagan Blair batted in Simms on a groundout and the Hawks were a run away from tying the game. Rhionna Bianchini walked to load the bases for Ashley Puig who stepped into the batters box to pinch-hit for Madison Rappold. Puig hit a slow grounder to short and hustled down the first base line to beat the throw, but the umpire called runner interference on the play and the game ended on the controversial call.
 
Fox took the loss, but had a productive game, giving up six hits and just three earned runs with five strikeouts. Simms was the catalyst offensively in both games, as she finished the day going 3-for-7 with two runs and an RBI. Bonewit and Santini also finished with multiple hits on the day. Bonewit went 2-for-4 in game one, while Santini combined to go 2-for-4 with two walks and an RBI.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back home Saturday to finish up its home-and-home series against SUNY Cortland. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon.  

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS


GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS 


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