New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz split its doubleheader series against visiting Cortland Tuesday afternoon, winning 2-1 in Game 2 after dropping Game 1, 6-0.
 
The results Tuesday pushed the Hawks' overall record to 20-14 and 13-1 in the SUNYAC, as the loss to the Red Dragons put the only blemish on what was an undefeated 12-0 start in conference play. Cortland, meanwhile, moved its season total to 16-14 overall and 12-2 in the SUNYAC.
 
SUNY New Paltz had a chance to put runs on the board to start the bottom of the first in Game 1, as Jackie Rometo led off with a shallow hit to center. A pitch into the back stop allowed Rometo to second with no outs before Kelsey O'Brien worked a walk to give the Hawks two on with no outs. A fielder's choice allowed Cortland the first out of the inning, as Rometo was forced out at third on a slow grounder to short. A strikeout ensued in the following at bat before Leah Gunsett loaded the bases on a base hit to left, but the threat ended there as a dribbler back to the pitcher was an easy play for Cortland to close out the side unscathed.
 
Walks plagued SUNY New Paltz in the second, but Sydney Waldon nearly got out of the inning on a close call at first that was originally ruled out but after deliberation the base runner was placed back on first giving the Red Dragons life with two outs and two on. Back-to-back walks pushed a run across to give Cortland the initial 1-0 lead, but Waldon limited the damage on a routine pop up to second to hold the score to 1-0.
 
SUNY New Paltz's offense stalled as it was forced into nine straight outs, while the Red Dragons added two more in the fifth. A one-out liner in the gap at center placed a runner in scoring position for the visitors, but the extra base hit wasn't necessarily needed, as Cortland took a 3-0 lead off a big swing from McKenna Barry that cleared the left field fence to register a two-run home run.
 
 
O'Brien started the sixth with a lead-off base hit through the left side, but the Hawks couldn't take advantage as the Red Dragons forced three straight outs to keep the shutout going. Cortland added three insurance runs in the seventh, all but putting the game away resulting in the 6-0 win.  
Waldon, who became the first Hawk to be named National Fastpitch Coaches Association Pitcher of the Week which was announced Tuesday, suffered just her first loss in her last eight appearances as her overall record dipped to 9-8 overall. She ultimately pitched a full seven innings and gave up six hits, five earned runs, four walks with five strikeouts on 33 batters faced.
 
The Hawks only registered four hits in the game, which came from Rometo, O'Brien, Leah Gunsett and Sophia D'Arcangelis.
 
SUNY New Paltz bounced back in Game 2, as Gunsett earned the win. The freshman threw all seven innings and allowed just four hits and no earned runs with four strikeouts on 31 batters faced while improving her record to 10-5 on the year.
 
Cortland took a 1-0 lead to start the top of the first, taking advantage of an errant throw from short to first on a routine grounder. Gunsett struck out the next batter for the first out and the Red Dragons nearly earned another on base on a controversial call at second. Lauren Serrao made a nice, backhanded play at third and caught Cortland's base runner in a pickle in between third and second and seemingly, Serrao made the play to Anderson for the tag at second, but the runner was initially called safe. Coach Rick Spriggs came out to talk to the umpire and after deliberation the call was reversed, forcing Cortland to its second out. However, Barry made up for the reversal as she lined a ball just over the head of O'Brien in left to bring the game's first run home. Gunsett closed out the inning though as she struck out the final batter to limit the damage.
 
The Hawks answered in the bottom half, giving Gunsett some run support. Rometo led off with a base hit and then put herself in scoring position with a stolen base. Mallory Rohon then came through with a two-out RBI double, drilling a grounder through the middle infield to plate Rometo and tie the game at 1-1.
 
SUNY New Paltz took the lead in the second, thanks to a double to right center by Michaela Bridgwood who used her speed to stretch out the extra base hit. Back-to-back bunt singles by D'Arcangelis and Serrao loaded the bases before O'Brien came through with a base hit to shallow center. D'Arcangelis easily scored on the play to give the Hawks the 2-1 lead and Serrao was again apart of a controversial call as she was called out on the tag at the plate despite looking as though she slid under the throw at home.
 
Regardless though, the go-ahead run was all SUNY New Paltz needed the rest of the way as Gunsett closed out the final five innings, allowing just one hit the rest of the way.
 
Rometo led the team offensively, going 1-for-2 with a run scored, a stolen base and a walk. Rohon added a double and RBI, while D'Arcangelis finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.
 
SUNY New Paltz closes out the regular season on the road Friday and Saturday, going up against Fredonia and Buffalo State respectively, Friday and Saturday. The Hawks are currently in first in the SUNYAC standings, followed by Cortland, then Buffalo State (11-3 SUNYAC), Oneonta (10-4) and Fredonia (7-5).
 

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