SUNY NP Softball Collects Doubleheader Sweep

By Monica D’Ippolito

ONEONTA – The State University of New York at New Paltz kept pace atop the conference standings after its 10th straight win and fourth consecutive SUNYAC series sweep after defeating Oneonta Saturday on the road, 6-5 and 8-1, respectively.

Lindsay Roman got the game one start and pitched through 5.1 innings, allowed five earned runs — matching the most all season — with the Hawks facing a 5-3 deficit entering the sixth.

Jackie Rometo got the rally started with a two-out double before advancing to third on a passed ball. An error on a grounder hit by Jillian Shelbourne allowed Rometo to score, cutting the difference to one.

Jillian Harrison entered to pitch for Roman in the sixth and the senior captain got the last two outs of the inning and held onto the 5-4 score. That’s all SUNY New Paltz needed as it carried all the momentum into the seventh. Sydney Bonewit led-off with a double to right, setting the table for Juliet Bernstein who smashed a two-run shot to center to give her team the lead with one swing. Harrison then closed out the final inning with three straight groundouts to secure the win.

Rometo went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Bernstein finished 2-for-2 with a run and three RBI, while Bonewit hit 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

SUNY New Paltz rolled through game two, propelled by a five-run second inning. Bonewit led off with a single and a bunt by Bernstein moved her over and then some, as a Red Dragons overthrow on the play allowed Bonewit to score on the error. Kelsey O’Brien singled up the middle two batters later and Bernstein scored on the play with Oneonta missing the cutter on the throw in. Rometo then broke the game open three batters later, as she rocketed a double to left, clearing the bases for three RBI and pushing her team to a 5-1 lead. The hit had extra significance as well with the sophomore registering her 100th career hit — an amazing feat in only 74 games played in her young career.

The Hawks added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth, but Sydney Waldon continued her strong play on the mound and allowed just five hits and one earned run to keep her team out in front. Harrison pitched the final inning to once again secure the win.

Waldon improved to 6-1 on the season and totaled eight strikeouts. Rometo stayed hot and went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI. Bonewit also went 3-for-4 with a hit and RBI, while O’Brien finished 2-for-4 with one run and a stolen base.

SUNY New Paltz improved to 20-10 overall and 9-1 in the SUNYAC, tied for first with Buffalo State who shares the same 9-1 conference mark.