SUNY NP Hawks Season Comes to an End

By Ryan Novitsky

CORTLAND – The 2017 campaign for the softball program at the State University of New York at New Paltz came to a disappointing end on Thursday as the Hawks fell twice in the opening day of the SUNYAC Tournament, hosted by Cortland.

New Paltz ends the season at 18-20 with a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Oswego followed by a 14-5 loss at the hands of Catskill Cup rival Oneonta to wrap up the trip.

Game One: Oswego 3, New Paltz 2

The Lakers came through with an improbable walk-off hit in the opener. With New Paltz leading 2-1 with two outs and a runner on second, junior Lauren Cappello was able to get the “final” out on a swinging strikeout and New Paltz began to celebrate.

However, the pitch went wild and instead of throwing down to first base for the final out, the ball remained live and Oswego’s runner kept gunning for home and scored the tying run. The Lakers then followed with the game-winning hit to left to hand New Paltz the crushing loss.
New Paltz gave up a run to Oswego in the top of the first to go behind early, 1-0. Following a leadoff double, the next Laker dropped down a bunt through the right side and kept on running for an RBI double.

The Hawks picked up their first hit of the day off a single by senior Fallon Spriggs in the fourth but would not get on the scoreboard until the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth, junior Taylor Leonette was hit by a pitch and stole second.

Sophomore Taylor LaFrance advanced Leonette to third with a single through the left side and Spriggs followed with the game-tying RBI sacrifice fly to center to score Leonette.

Headed to the final frame, senior Nicole DeCosta led off with a single down the right field line. Later in the inning, junior Alexa Mastando ripped a single to third base, scoring senior Megan Carbia, as the Hawks claimed their first lead of the day, 2-1. Looking to add insurance runs, New Paltz managed to load the bases with two outs but could not tack on any more offense.

Then the wild and crazy ending ensued in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Oswego reached base on a New Paltz error and the eventual pinch runner advanced to second on a ground out to give the Hawks just one more out to reach the winner’s bracket.

However, the madness followed when a wild pitch on a swinging third strike remained in play and unaccounted for and with New Paltz believing they won the contest, Oswego made the heads up, instinctual play to knot the game up and eventually handed the Hawks the heartbreaking loss.

Cappello pitched a great game but unfortunately suffered the defeat as the junior scattered seven hits while allowing just one earned run while walking seven Lakers.

Overall, the Hawks finished with six hits by six different players.

Game Two: Oneonta 14, New Paltz 5

The Red Dragons scored once in the first four innings of play before exploding for six runs in the fifth frame and four more in the seventh to eliminate New Paltz.

The Hawks managed to scored twice in the fourth and once in the last three innings but could not overcome the deficit.

The game was halted in the sixth inning due to heavy rain but was resumed 15 minutes later but played in sloppy conditions.

Offensively, New Paltz registered 11 hits as Spriggs finished 2-for-4 with two runs and senior Kiersten Carlomagno went 2-for-4 with one run and two RBI. LaFrance chipped in with two base knocks.

Cappello was tagged with the defeat as the junior wraps up the year at 15-13 overall.
For New Paltz, DeCosta, Carbia, Spriggs and Carlomagno all played their final collegiate game.

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