Newburgh, N.Y. - Playing in their first games since a season opening trip to Florida, the Mount Saint Mary College softball team dropped a pair of games yesterday to New Paltz. The Blue Knights lost game one by a score of 7-2 and game two by a score of 8-4.
In the first game, the Blue Knights led 1-0 after an RBI single to left center by senior Jen Weiner (Walden, N.Y.). New Paltz scored two runs in the bottom of the third when Justine Scutaro singled to right center to score Lauren Motzkin and Mel Cilmi who walked and reached on an error, respectively. The Blue Knights evened the game in the top of the fourth as they loaded the bases for sophomore Christine DelPiano (Orange, Conn.). DelPiano singled to left center, scoring junior Christina Maiocco (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) who had singled to start the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Erin Fitzpatrick roped an RBI double to score Elizabeth May who started the inning with a walk. New Paltz increased their lead in the fifth on an RBI double by Scutaro. The Hawks tallied four hits and three runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring. Motzkin hit a two run RBI single and Dale Cornelius hit an RBI single.
Motzkin was 3-3 with two RBIs and Scutaro was 2-4 with three RBI to lead the Hawks from the plate. Weiner and sophomore Amy Romito (Washingtonville, N.Y.) each had two hits for MSMC and Maiocco scored a pair of runs. The Hawks registered nine hits and left seven on base while Mount Saint Mary totaled seven hits and left five on base. Courtney Costello earned the win on the mound allowing six hits, two runs, one walk and striking out four batters in four innings. Junior Erin Lappe (Goshen, N.Y.) took the loss on the mound for the Mount.
In game two, New Paltz tallied four hits and four runs in the first inning for an early 4-0 lead. Cilmi started things with a triple to right field and was hit home on an RBI single down the left field line by Motzkin. With two outs and runners on first and second, Amalia DiTrapani hit a two run RBI single to left field and was brought home on a single by Brittany O'Hara. The Blue Knights fought back and scored two runs in the second and the third to even the game at 4-4. New Paltz then racked up four hits and three runs in the third inning to regain the lead. Motzkin doubled to left field and advanced to third on a single by Scutaro. DiTrapani brought Motzkin in on a single and Jordan Paley knocked in DiTrapani with a single.
Motzkin was 3-4, Paley was 2-3 and DiTrapani was 2-2 to lead the Hawks. Sophomore Liz Carlson (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) was 1-for-4 with a double that drove in two runs for the Mount. The Blue Knights managed just six hits as compared to the eleven from New Paltz. O'Hara earned the win, allowing three hits, four runs and four walks in four innings. Kelly O'Hea earned the save allowing three hits and striking out two batters in three innings. Erin Dammermuth took the loss for the Blue Knights.
The Mount returns to action on Saturday as they begin their Skyline Conference slate of games. The Blue Knights host Purchase College in their home opener, beginning at noon on March 29.
