Cortland, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz softball team opened up its 2021 season Wednesday on the road at SUNY Cortland and lost both games of the doubleheader, 14-1 and 12-4, respectively.
 
The Hawks' pitching staff had a tough day, combining for a 18.10 ERA while giving up 35 hits and 25 earned runs. Big innings by the Red Dragons throughout both games determined the blowout after SUNY New Paltz took the initial lead.
 
Nina Simms led off the top of the first with a double to left and was later brought in with an RBI single by first-year transfer Sydney Bonewit. The Hawks couldn't pile on, however, as they stranded two runners on with one out to own just a one-run advantage going into the bottom of the inning.
 
The game broke open from there. The Red Dragons, who already had eight games under their belt before hosting SUNY New Paltz, got their first five batters on to start the bottom of the first. Emily Fox, who earned the opening day start for the Hawks, gave up five runs before Katie Quagliana came in for relief. Quagliana closed the last out in the inning, but not before allowing another runner across to give Cortland a 6-1 advantage. 
The Red Dragons added four more in the third after starting the inning with three-straight hits. Jillian Harrision came into relieve Quagliana, but Cortland still took advantage with four runs in the inning. The score ballooned to 14-1 in the bottom of the fourth with the hosts recording four more hits in the inning.
 
SUNY New Paltz was blanked in the fifth, resulting in the finalized 14-1 five-inning outcome.
 
Lindsay Roman earned the nod in the circle for game two and the Hawks gave the freshman a four-run advantage after another hot start to open up the top of the first. Simms again led-of with a base hit with Julia Mastrup forcing an errant throw to first, following a well laid bunt to advance Simms. Bonewit again came up clutch with runners in scoring position, knocking a two RBI double to bring home Simms and Mastrup. Celia Santini plated Bonewit on an RBI single to center. Carol Ann Campsey pushed SUNY New Paltz lead 4-0 on a sacrifice fly to bring Santini home as well.
 
The scoring stopped there though. The Red Dragons rallied in the final three innings scoring one in the third and then, four, five and two more in the bottom of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, resulting in another rout for Cortland.
 
Roman pitched well through three innings, but struggled in the fourth. She gave up eight hits and five earned runs in her collegiate debut. Fox came in to pitch 1.2 innings and allowed six hits and five earned runs with Quagliana getting the final two outs of the game.
 
Bonewit, Simms, Kiley Besko and Madison Rappold each had a multi-hit day. Bonewit went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and one run scored. Simms went 4-for-7 with two runs scored.
 
The Hawks are back in action Saturday when they go on the road for a doubleheader against Plattsburgh State. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

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