Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

New Paltz, NY – Following a tough 2-0 loss in the first game of a doubleheader against Buffalo State, the State University of New York at New Paltz softball team exploded for four runs in the first inning of the second game to earn the series split on Saturday afternoon.
 
"It was huge for us to show up in that first inning," Hawks head coach Samantha Miller said. "To come out with that sour taste in their mouths after losing a game that they shouldn't have lost fueled them."
 
The highlight of the inning came off the bat of Hawks senior outfielder Julia Perhacs, who blasted the team's first home run of the season over the left field wall to drive in two.
 
"It felt awesome to hit that home run," Perhacs said. "I've been struggling a little bit at the plate, so it felt great to finally get a good piece of the ball."
 
Each of SUNY New Paltz's four runs were unearned, as the Hawks took advantage of three Bengals errors to chase Buffalo State senior pitcher Nicole Adams out of the circle before the conclusion of the inning.
 
Bengals sophomore pitcher Marissa Hayes, who tossed a complete game shutout in the first game, came in for relief and didn't let up another run. She pitched four and two-thirds perfect innings before surrendering a hit to Hawks sophomore utility player Meagan Blair in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Fortunately for SUNY New Paltz, sophomore pitcher Alyssa Pfitscher was just as excellent in the circle, scattering three hits, giving up just one run and not allowing a base runner until the fourth inning to earn her fourth win of the season.
 
She escaped the fourth inning unscathed, despite dealing with two runners on base and only one out. In the sixth inning Pfitscher shut down another Bengals rally, giving up just one run despite facing runners on second and third with only one out.
 
"The fourth and sixth innings were a little nerve-racking," Pfitscher said. "I started getting tired and missing some spins which allowed them to get the bat on the ball. But I held my composure and my team was there to back me up."

Hawks senior pitcher Lauren Cappello also gave the team a great pitching performance in the first game. She tossed a complete game, giving up two runs on eight hits and tied a season-high with five strikeouts.
 
Similar to Pfitscher, Cappello escaped the fourth inning without giving up a run despite facing a first and second situation with only one out. Unfortunately, SUNY New Paltz couldn't give her any run support and the team lost its first conference game of the season.
 
Hawks senior outfielder Taylor Leonette was a bright spot in the team's lineup, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases. Sophomore first baseman Kelsey Trudden, sophomore third baseman Taylor Fischer and freshman utility player Katie Conrad each recorded one hit in the game.
 
SUNY New Paltz (10-10 overall, 3-1 SUNYAC) will be back in action April 4 when it travels to Mount Saint Mary College. The Knights currently hold a record of 4-7. The Hawks' next conference games will be on the road when they head to The College at Brockport April 6 and SUNY Geneseo the following day.
 
"To come away with three wins this weekend is really important to us," Miller said. "It gives us some momentum going into next weekend as our season gets tougher and we get more tired. It's always great to start off winning three of four games."

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