Purchase, NY
(April 23, 2017) – Purchase honored its "Core Four" Sunday on Senior Day, recognizing four seniors that have made a tremendous impact to the softball program.
In a pregame ceremony MCed by
Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini,
April Uhl (SR/Jackson Heights, NY),
Mary Adams (SR/Milton, PA),
Briana Leon (SR/Glen Cove, NY) and
Nicole Fortuna (SR/New Rochelle, NY) were honored. Surrounded by friends and family, the four received senior gifts of appreciation, including certificates from the SID office and mementos from the coaching staff. The four will be honored once again during the program's annual awards banquet and hall of fame ceremony, which is set for Thursday, April 27, from 6-9 p.m. in the upper lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Senior parents are invited to attend.
Purchase
head coach Ryan Doty penned some words for each senior, which Ciafardini delivered to the crowd.
Uhl, the team's steady and reliable third baseman, was introduced first.
"The hardest working player I have ever had the pleasure to coach," Doty said of Uhl in his speech. "She gives her heart and soul to the game, and no matter the outcome, or results, she will be working her tail off to get better every day."
Adams, Uhl's partner of the left side of the infield followed. The shortstop was commended for her toughness.
"Mary embodies what it means to be a softball player. She is a tough as nails type athlete, always putting foot forward; her best effort on the field. She plays the game hard and with passion, leading by example along the way."
The battery mates of Leon and Fortuna were left for last. The tandem teamed for a no-hitter earlier this season – Fortuna's second of her Panther career.
"Bri has developed into the backbone of the infield. She works so well with the pitching staff, always keeping their focus on the task at hand, as well as helping them to make adjustments. She is the true definition of a captain."
The team's ace and captain concluded the ceremony.
"Nicole has been a captain on the softball team for two seasons; she is a very tough competitor and leads by example. She has grown and developed into the ace of the pitching staff. When she is in the circle, she gives the Panthers softball team a chance to compete with anyone."
Fortuna got the start in game one and worked around a challenging Farmingdale State lineup, but the Rams would pull away late for a 12-6 win in the opener. FSC used that momentum in game two, finishing the sweep in a 6-2 decision that was highlighted by a first-inning home run.
In the opener, the Rams rallied in the top of the seventh on their way to a game-one win after Purchase had come-from-behind to tie it 6-6.
FSC loaded the bases in the top of the frame and then recorded three straight singles for a 9-6 advantage. A sac fly, a wild pitch and another single capped the inning for the visitors.
Purchase led 1-0 at the end of one and 3-0 at the end of two, highlighted by RBI hits from
Kelly Hayes (SO/Staten Island, NY), Adams and
Lisa Kentris (SO/Latham, NY).
But Farmingdale scored four in the fifth to regain control before the Panthers tied it with three in the bottom half of the inning.
Uhl had an RBI single to left center to kick start the rally. It was followed by another RBI from Adams –this time on a bases loaded walk. Leon followed with a walk of her own. The RBI made it 6-6.
Adams, Leon, Hayes, Uhl and
Victoria Capone-Froio (JR/Yonkers, NY) all collected two hits apiece in game one. Adams was the RBI leader with two.
Meanwhile, Sierra Cardenales, FSC's three-hole hitter, went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the opener. Christina Rayfield added three hits.
In game two, Cardenales homered in the top of the first. Her two-run shot made it 2-0. The Rams added a single run in the third and three more in the sixth on their way to the victory.
Resilient Purchase scored two runs in the bottom of the second to tie the score 2-2. In that inning, Capone-Froio doubled in a run – one of her two hits in game two.
But after that, FSC kept Purchase scoreless, while adding some insurance runs. The Panthers totaled seven hits in game two, including a hit apiece for seniors Fortuna and Uhl.
For the Rams, Rayfield had two of the team's 10 hits in game two. Cardenales led the team with two RBI in the second game.
Purchase has six games remaining (three doubleheaders). The Panthers will hit the road to play Yeshiva Wednesday at Fordham University.
