Boxscore and Play-by-Play
Post-game Press Conference

Salem, Va. – With two of the top pitchers in Division III softball in the circle, offensive was at a premium as the Plattsburgh State softball team dropped its opening game of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship against Montclair State, 1-0.

The Cardinals (35-10) struggled early against Montclair State (43-7) starter Alex Hill. After Hill struck out the first four batters she faced, Erin Florkiewicz worked a walk to give Plattsburgh its first base runner. Katie McNally reached on a fielder’s choice, but the Cardinals were unable to do anything else in the top of the second.

“We knew coming in they [Montclair State] would have a strong pitcher,” said Plattsburgh State head coach Stephanie Zweig. “We would have liked to have more offense and be able to make better adjustment, but we just didn’t do that today.”

Montclair State was able to get two aboard in the bottom half of the second, but Plattsburgh’s Ashley Marshall fanned Stephanie Szeliga to get out of the inning.

The Red Hawks threatened in the bottom of the fifth after a back-to-back singles by Shannon Mozek and Jamie Paulino put two runners on. Marshall responded with a big strikeout of Dana Amato before Alex Hill popped out to the catcher to send Montclair State back to the dugout without a run.

In the top of the seventh, Brianna Clarke led off the innings with a single through the left side before being lifted for pinch runner Kayla Rabideau. But the Cardinals could not seize the opportunity as Michelle Iannone flied out to center field and Florkiewicz popped up to the catcher, allowing the Red Hawks to double up Rabideau at first base.

Marshall issued a lead off walk to Szeliga in the bottom of the seventh before Szeliga advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Shannon Mozek. A stolen base put Szeliga at third and marked the first runner to reach third for either team all day. Amato secured the walk-off win for Montclair State with a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Szeliga to score and keep the Red Hawks in the winner’s bracket.

Plattsburgh was never able to solve Hill, who struck out eighth and issued one walk in the complete game win. Hill improves to 31-4 and becomes just the third pitcher this season to hold the Cardinal offense to just two hits.

Marshall was on the losing end of the pitcher’s duel, scattering six hits and walking four batters while recording four strikeouts. Her record drops to 25-5 on the year.

“It’s not helpful to focus on the past,” said Zweig. “Even though we came up short today, we were able to stay positive and we’ll be ready to come out and play tomorrow.”

The Cardinals fall into the loser’s bracket and will look to stave off elimination Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Tufts, who lost 1-0 to Roanoke College in Friday’s fourth game. Montclair State will take on Roanoke at 6:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Linfield (43-5) defeated Ohio Northern (31-13), 9-5, and Pacific Lutheran (42-11) topped Luther (40-8), 8-0, in five innings. On Saturday, Linfield will play Pacific Lutheran at 4 p.m., while the day kicks off with the first elimination game between Ohio Northern and Luther and 11 a.m.