Raleigh, NC — The State University of New York at New Paltz concluded its North Carolina opening weekend with a split against Pacific Lutheran and Oberlin College.
 
Playing on the campus of William Peace Sunday, the Hawks fell to a tough Lutes squad, 5-0 before earning a five-inning, 10-1 rout of the Yeomen. SUNY New Paltz improved to 3-1 on the year as it returns home from their weekend opening schedule.
 
"We were really excited to finally get out and face opponents other than each other," said Hawks coach Krysti Maronski. "It was definitely a test for us to see where we're at and what we need to work on. We have to clean up some small things and work on our preparation on game day more."
 
SUNY New Paltz struggled getting its offense going against Pacific Lutheran, managing just two hits against the Lutes. Jackie Rometo and Emmie Mae Cabrera were the only two to register a hit for the Hawks with Cabrera knocking a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh. Lindsay Roman suffered her first loss of the season after throwing three innings, allowing just three hits, one earned run with no walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Hawks bounced back in game two and needed just five innings to put away Oberlin. The game was scoreless, however, through three innings until a prolific top of the fourth for SUNY New Paltz broke the game open. Kelsey O'Brien got the inning started with a lead-off single before Jillian Shelbourne added on with a base hit. The single also notched the senior her 100th career hit as she reached closer in breaking into the Hawks' top-10 hitting leaders.  
"I'm so happy and proud of Jill on such a great accomplishment," Maronski said. "She is such a positive, selfless player who continues to always put her best foot forward with a great mindset. She's an awesome hitter and such a tough out each time she steps into the box."
 
Kelly Marmorowski got the Hawks on the board after knocking a two-RBI double into left. Ella Sharrock came into pinch hit three batters later, and the freshman came up clutch with a two-out, two-RBI single to bring the lead to 4-0. An error brought another run across with Jackie Rometo stealing home to push the SUNY New Paltz lead to 6-0. Shelbourne came back to the plate and capped the stretch as she blasted a two-RBI single to center to score O'Brien and Rometo for an 8-0 Hawks lead.
 
After the Yeomen gained back a run in the bottom half, SUNY New Paltz put the game away in the top of the fifth. Kate Hope started the inning by reaching on an error at right with Maddie Anderson bringing her home on an RBI single up the middle. O'Brien ripped her second double of the weekend to plate Anderson and give SUNY New Paltz a 10-1 lead.

Sydney Waldon, who earned the start, closed out the final frame and finished with the win. She tossed the full five innings, giving up six hits with one earned run, one walk and six strikeouts in 19 batters faced. O'Brien continued a prolific weekend, as she went 3-for-3, missing just a home run to hit for the cycle with a double and triple, while adding two runs, a walk and an RBI. Shelbourne followed offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBI with Marmorowksi recording a double, two RBI and a walk. Anderson had a productive game as well, as the freshman went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.
 
SUNY New Paltz hits the road once again returning to its road stand, traveling to Northampton, Massachusetts to face Smith College in a doubleheader before going to Salisbury, Maryland to compete in the Margie Knight Tournament over the weekend.
 
"We need to keep our focus on ourselves and doing the little things right on and off the field, staying true to our core values," Maronski said. "Playing hard on every pitch of every inning and picking up one another when the time comes."
 
The Hawks and Pioneers doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday.


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