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Potsdam, NY – Despite another valiant comeback attempt with the season on the line in the first game, the State University of New York at New Paltz softball team's campaign came to an end on Saturday afternoon at SUNY Potsdam after losing game one 6-3 followed by a 4-2 loss in the second game. The Hawks (14-21-1 overall, 7-11 SUNYAC) will miss the SUNYAC Tournament for the first time since the 2015 season.

"Our own short comings seemed to get the best of us this year," SUNY New Paltz head coach Samantha Miller said. "But we battled with some tough teams throughout this year, which is a huge positive for us."

The Bears scored the first run of the game in the first inning and took a commanding 6-0 lead after plating five runs in the bottom of the third.

SUNY New Paltz looked poised to turn the game around in the top of the sixth inning when sophomore outfielder Julia DiSpigna led off the inning with a single and came around to score on a throwing error. The Hawks scored another run on a wild pitch and then loaded the bases with only one out. Potsdam junior pitcher Alissa McCauley was then brought in to try and halt the rally, but junior second baseman Shannon Fee greeted her with an RBI single to left to make it a 6-3 game and bring the go-ahead run to the plate. This marked the third-straight game the Hawks scored three or more runs after the fourth inning while trailing their opponent. Unfortunately, the next two batters fouled out and the Bears escaped the inning with the lead intact.

Needing three runs to keep their playoff hopes alive, SUNY New Paltz freshman shortstop Katie Conrad singled with one out in the top of the seventh inning. McCauley struck out the next batter but Hawks sophomore first baseman Kelsey Trudden singled to bring the tying run to the plate with SUNY New Paltz down to its last out. Hawks sophomore pitcher Alyssa Pfitscher then grounded out to shortstop as SUNY New Paltz lost its first game to Potsdam since 2014, ending its playoff chances.

Pfitscher came in for relief in the circle before the fourth inning and tossed three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out one to keep the Hawks within striking distance. Senior pitcher Lauren Cappello started the game for SUNY New Paltz, and pitched three innings, gave up two earned runs on five hits and recorded one punch out to conclude her pitching career.

Fee finished the game with a 2-for-3 performance, including one RBI. Hawks senior outfielder Taylor Leonette reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with one walk and one stolen base.

"We are eager to start working on our offensive strategy for next year," Miller said. "We were able to learn from our mistakes this year and understand how adjustments need to be made early in the game. Our pitching will only get stronger and our returners will come back hungry and more resilient."

Looking to end its season on a high note, SUNY New Paltz jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning of the second game on an RBI single from Cappello. The Bears tied the game in the second inning and scored two runs in the third to take a 3-1 lead.

An infield single by senior outfielder Julia Perhacs brought home Fee and cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning, but Potsdam responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Hawks got a runner in scoring position in the sixth inning and a one out single from Perhacs in the seventh, but neither scored and the team finished its 2018 season with a 4-2 loss to the Bears.

In her final start of the season, Pfitscher sustained the loss by giving up four runs over four and one-third innings of work. SUNY New Paltz freshman pitcher Emily Fox came in for relief in the fifth inning, stranding the bases loaded on her way to pitching one and two-third perfect innings in the circle.

Hawks sophomore catcher Michaela Damore went 1-for-2 performance and SUNY New Paltz sophomore outfielder Nicole DePaola chipped in with one stolen base.

In the final game of their collegiate careers, Perhacs led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance including one RBI and one stolen base and Cappello went 1-for-2 with one RBI. It also marked the final game for Leonette, senior outfielder Danielle Bruno and senior third baseman Alexa Mastando as Hawks.

"It was an honor to coach these five seniors for two years," Miller said. "They all have a tremendous amount of integrity, leadership and love for the game and their team. Those are things that cannot be taught. They are all special people and will do great things when they leave New Paltz and we will forever be grateful for the impact they made on New Paltz softball."