Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
New Paltz, NY – After falling into a seven-run deficit before coming to bat, the State University of New York at New Paltz softball team clawed its way back into its second game against SUNY Cortland on Saturday afternoon at Mary Gray Deane Field, but the comeback ultimately fell short and it lost by a score of 9-6. Both the Hawks and Red Dragons wore gold shoelaces to represent Go4theGoal and raise awareness of childhood cancer during both games. 
 
After that rough first inning, the Hawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the second. Senior pitcher Lauren Cappello helped her own cause by driving in the team's first run with an RBI single and sophomore first baseman Kelsey Trudden drove in the other two runs with a single up the middle. Trudden knocked in another run in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it 7-4, however the Hawks were unable to bring anyone else home and left runners on first and third.
 
The Red Dragons added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 9-4 lead, but the Hawks would not go down without a fight in their half of the inning. After Trudden and SUNY New Paltz freshman shortstop Katie Conrad walked to start the inning, junior pitcher Sam Van Dorn, who tossed a complete game shutout in the first game, entered to try and prevent a rally.
 
She was not as effective this time around, as Van Dorn let loose two wild pitches to bring home sophomore outfielder Nicole DePaola, who pinch ran for Trudden. Senior outfielder Julia Perhacs walked to put runners on first and third and sophomore outfielder Julia DiSpigna followed with a hit that went off Van Dorn to drive in Conrad. With two runners on, Van Dorn set down the next two batters to leave the tying run at the plate and complete the sweep for Cortland.
 
"They came out to beat us in the first inning and that caught us off guard," Hawks head coach Samantha Miller said. "It was great to see our team put up runs even though Cortland shut us out in the first game. But, I know what our team is capable of and my biggest frustrations come from us giving up too many runs and not scoring earlier."
 
After tossing a complete game in game one, Cappello put in a stellar relief outing in the second game. She limited the damage in the first inning and did not allow a run between the second and sixth innings, scattering seven hits and striking out one.
 
"We all know what Lauren is capable of doing," Miller said. "She is a huge competitor."
 
Trudden was the star on offense, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and one walk. DiSpigna, senior outfielder Taylor Leonette and junior catcher Madison Rappold each recorded two hits as well. Perhacs went 1-for-2 with one double and one walk and made a diving catch in center field for the second out of the fourth inning.
 
Perhacs also had a strong showing in the first game, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base. She began her impressive day with a running catch near the center field wall to end the top of the first inning.
 
Hawks senior third baseman Alexa Mastando started her first game in the field since March 10, and came back strong with a diving catch on a bunt attempt in the third inning.
 

What a play by @Alexamastando!! Getting dirty, completely laying out for the diving catch @npsbhawks pic.twitter.com/nBCn6mSu3t

— New Paltz Hawks (@nphawks) April 14, 2018

Conrad, DiSpigna and Trudden each notched one hit in the contest and Cappello struck out two batters in her seven innings of work. Despite the strong performances, SUNY New Paltz lost the game 6-0.
 
The Hawks will continue SUNYAC play when they travel to SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday, April 17 and The College at Brockport the following day. Last season, SUNY New Paltz split its series with the Knights and swept the Golden Eagles. Be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook for updates, highlights, videos, photos and more.