Ashland, VA — The State University of New York New Paltz opened up its 2026 season with a statement victory, going on the road and taking down No. 7 Randolph-Macon College in extra innings, 6-5.
 
The victory highlighted a productive Saturday where the Hawks (2-0 overall) also collected a six-inning win over Marymount to conclude the opening day doubleheader. However, the win over the Yellow Jackets was the most significant, as it was the first ranked win for the program since the 2019 season and only the second-ever win over a top 10 nationally ranked team, the last, and only, coming in 2013 when SUNY New Paltz took down No. 6 Eastern Connecticut State.
 
The last time the Hawks defeated a nationally ranked opponent, Krysti Maronski was at the helm who went on to become the winningest coach in program history and brought SUNY New Paltz its first ever SUNYAC title in 2024. Maronski went onto take over the softball program at Randolph-Macon the following year and took the team to a College World Series, losing in the championship to Virginia Wesleyan University in 2025.
 
SUNY New Paltz had the daunting task of opening up against the perennial power, coming off a long and cold preseason primarily inside and yet to touch dirt. The first chance was against the Yellow Jackets Saturday morning, and the Hawks were up for the challenge.  
Ella Sharrock got the game going with a solo shot in the first inning to give SUNY New Paltz the initial lead. Randolph Macon answered with three run in the bottom half, but the Hawks continued to find success offensively.
 
Ava Thys took advantage of a throwing error to lead off the third with Kelsey O'Brien moving her over with a hit up the gut of the infield. Sharrock then connected on a base hit to load the bases, setting the table for Mallory Rohon who came through with an RBI ground out to tie the score at 3-3. Gusnett followed with the same play, plating one more to re-up SUNY New Paltz's advantage.
 
The Yellow Jackets earned a run back in the fifth and seventh to tie the score at five-all with Leah Gunsett managing through a threatening bottom seventh allowing a single run but still holding on to force an eighth. Her team picked her up, Freshman Kaitlyn Gordon became the hero, as she forced in fellow freshman Jenna Carmody for the game-winning run. Gunsett closed out, getting three straight outs to hold onto the 6-5 win.
 
Gunsett pitched a gem against one of the best teams in the country. She allowed nine hits, five earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts in all eight innings of work. Sharrock was the offensively catalyst, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Maddie Anderson went 2-fof-3 with a walk with O'Brien finishing with a hit and a run scored.
 
Sharrock carried the team into the second game, as they rolled Marymount. A big third inning was the difference, as SUNY New Paltz built a comfortable 6-0 lead. The Hawks kept the Saints at bay and they walked away with the 10-2 win.
 
Sharrock concluded an explosive day, going 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI. O'Brien followed, hitting 2-for-4 with two runs. Rohon added a hit, an RBI and two runs scored.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action in Ashland, VA facing Randolph-Macon one last time before facing Meredith College at 1:15 p.m.


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