UPDATED TIMES
CORTLAND, N.Y. - Day one of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) softball championship is in the books and five teams remain in the fight for the 2017 conference title.
The six-team double elimination championship saw New Paltz's season come to an end with loses to Oswego and Oneonta Thurday. The Hawks finished 2017 with an overall record of 18-20.
Cortland will face Buffalo State at 3 p.m. followed by Oswego vs. Plattsburgh at 5 p.m., Friday at Cortland's Dragon Field (weather permitting). Oneonta will play Saturday at a time to be determined and an opponent to be determined.
Top-seed and host, Cortland defeated #6 Oneonta, 11-3, in five innings in the first game of the day Thursday. Niki Barbato went 3-for-2 with a homer and four RBI. Jamie Lachall earned the win on the mound for the Cortland Red Dragons. Box Score
Second-seeded Oswego defeated #5 New Paltz, 3-2, in the seventh. The Lakers tied it up at two as Kim Dunst scored from third base when teammate Katie Heselden ran out a dropped third strike that would have ended the game. Jessica Roe then singled to score the winning run. Rebecca Vilchez had four strikeouts from the mound to help Oswego advance. Box Score
The third seed Plattsburgh topped #4 Buffalo State, 5-4. The Bengals rallied and scored four runs in the seventh to take the lead, 4-3. The Cardinals came back with two runs off a homer from Dominique Zummo, a double by Jennifer Groat and a double by Haleigh Agans to end the game. Pitcher Rhea Pitkin earned the win striking out five in six innings. Box Score
The final game of the day, which was an elimination game between New Paltz and Oneonta saw delays due to rain, but was completed in two and a half hours. The Red Dragons defeated the Hawks, 14-5. Katie O'Gorman led Oneonta with with four hits including a double and a triple and had three RBI. Lauren Sabatino added four RBI. Sabrina DeAngelis struck out seven batters and earned the win from the mound for Oneonta. Box Score
Plattsburgh sophomore outfielder, Jennifer Sarcone was presented with the SUNYAC Elite 20 award today. The SUNYAC Elite 20, an award modeled after the NCAA ELITE 90 program, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.
