Box Score - Game 1Box Score - Game 2 Purchase, NY
(April 24, 2015) – The Purchase softball team certainly knows how to throw a Senior Day.
The Panthers pitched back-to-back no-hitters against the College of New Rochelle Friday in the regular-season finale at Purchase. The Panthers won the opener 11-0 and closed out the sweep in a second, five-inning victory, capturing Game 2, 12-0. Purchase's
Samantha Alonzo (JR/Wappingers Falls, NY) tossed the first no-no, while
Nicole Fortuna (SO/New Rochelle, NY) duplicated the feat in the finale.
Purchase celebrated
Alyssa Mercadante (SR/Highland Mills, NY) in style. Although the outfielder could only get one at-bat since she's in a walking boot following a recent injury, the senior, who came into today batting .333, was thrilled about her team's performance on Senior Day. The two no-hitters and the in between Senior Day festivities capped an improved spring for the Panthers. Purchase concluded the year at 10-12.
"Merc has a great personality, is a standout hitter and a hard worker,"
head coach Albana Krasniqi said of her senior. "She did everything that was asked of her. I know she couldn't play two today, but I'm very happy that she got to see the field despite injury and that we put together two special games to close the season. It was a nice day for our program and hopefully one we can build off of heading into next year."
Game 2 also witnessed another milestone for Alonzo, who recorded the 100th hit of her career. She had previously collected 80 in two seasons at DII Goldey-Beacom. In Game 1, she went 2 for 2 with five RBI and one run scored to pace the Panthers.
ToniAnn Licata (SR/Mount Kisco, NY) also had two hits. Licata, Fortuna,
Alexandra Prescia (JR/Staten Island, NY) and
Tara Stiansen (JR/Hampton Bays, NY) also had RBIs in the win. Doubles by Precia, Alonzo and Licata keyed the offense, which scored two in the first, one in the second and four apiece in the third and fourth to walk away with a run-rule victory in five innings.
Alonzo improved to 6-4, striking out nine. Two errors in the field cost the starter a perfect game as she walked none over five innings in the circle.
Fortuna fanned 11 in five in Game 2. One walk prevented her from a perfecto.
Meanwhile, the Panther offense picked up where it left off in the opener. Fortuna was a star from the leadoff spot, going 3 for 3 with three runs and three RBI. Right fielder
Jessica Smith (JR/Yonkers, NY) also had a big day to close the season. Smith homered over the fence and went 3 for 3 with three runs and three RBI to her credit. Fellow newcomer
Alyssa Saulle (FR/Staten Island, NY) collected two hits and an RBI.
Amanda Green (SO/Roslyn Heights, NY),
Antonina Fiore (FR/Mount Sinai, NY) and
April Uhl (SO/Jackson Heights, NY) also had RBIs in the win.
A six-run first inning set the tone in Game 2.
"I'm very proud of the team today," Krasniqi said. "They played hard and finished the spring strong. There's a lot of talent on this team and we keep building for the future. Congrats to Alyssa, Sam and Nicole."
