Box Score - Game 1 / Old Westbury
Box Score - Game 2 / Old Westbury

Box Score - Game 1 / Sage
Box Score - Game 2 / Sage

Purchase, NY (Apr. 14, 2013) – Sunday softball featured two special events at Purchase College as the Panthers welcomed three local community groups on “DIII Appreciation Day” – the culmination of NCAA Division III Week, which recognizes all the good that DIII programs around the country perform – and the team's annual Senior Day.

This year's Senior Day recognized three valuable seniors in Danielle Johnson (SR/Liberty, NY), Alexis Vallario (SR/Yonkers, NY) and Abigail Katz (SR/Livingston, NJ). With friends and family on the field in between games one and two, Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini MCed a brief Senior Day ceremony, which included a touching poem from teammate Juliet-Rain Pagan (JR/Bronx, NY).

Johnson was teased about her injuries during the brief ceremony, but commended for her leadership and for being a terrific teammate. Katz, a two-sport athlete who is typically recognized for her outstanding play on the soccer field, was saluted for her undervalued talents on the softball diamond, while also taking one more run out on the field under the moniker “Kitty Katz.” And Vallario, a captain and leader behind the plate, was also poked fun for her “Princess” status – from sparkling headbands to colorful apparel – but celebrated for her gritty play as the team's No. 1 catcher.

Earlier in the afternoon, the program introduced children from the Carver Center in Port Chester, the New Flex Foundation in Mount Vernon and the Amazing Afternoons program in Mount Vernon, which were all honored briefly on the field. The children also got to practice with the team prior to the twin bill and later took part in a picnic, where lunch was provided.

Unfortunately, despite all of the good vibes from Senior Day and the culmination of DIII week, the Panthers fell short 8-0 and 11-0 to Old Westbury.

Samantha Howley led Old Westbury with three hits and four RBI in game one. Alyssa Clancy, who pitched both ends of the doubleheader, got wins in the circle in games one and two. Nicole Petrucii paced OW in game two, notching three hits and three RBI, including a home run.  

Purchase also dropped both ends of Saturday's twin bill, falling 8-0 and 9-1, respectively at Sage in Troy, New York. The victories put Sage at 13-13 overall and 4-4 in the league.

In the first game, Sage's second baseman Kristen Beikirch connected for her third home run of the season with a solo shot in the bottom of the second inning helping Sage to a 5-0 lead.  For the game, Beikirch was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI. In the nightcap, Kelsey Newberg drove in three runs, while going 2 for 2 at the plate with a double.

For the Panthers, Christine Leo (SR/Monroe, CT) had two hits and an RBI over the two games. Cassandra Armstrong (JR/Schenectady, NY), Kristy Colangelo (FR/Staten Island, NY) and Tara Stiansen (FR/Hampton Bays, NY), who is putting together a fine rookie campaign, also collected hits in the doubleheader defeats.

Armstrong and Stiansen also collected hits in Sunday's losses.

Purchase has four games left on the schedule, including two against New Rochelle on Tuesday and a pair against SJC-BKLYN to close out the season.

-Sage Sports Information Contributed to this report