Purchase, NY
(April 18, 2018) –
Lisa Kentris is graduating from Purchase in just three years.
The junior standout has always been on the fast track.
And it's no different on the softball diamond, where Purchase's left fielder notched her 100th career hit in just her third season. It came on a day when Purchase raised breast cancer awareness on "Pink Day," while also honoring its stars in the classroom in a pregame celebration.
"Today is another special day for our program, as we celebrate both breast cancer awareness and the success of our students in the classroom," said
Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini, who MCed the festivities.
"We do appreciate the faculty, staff and student-athletes that are joining us today to help increase awareness of the disease. One of the members of our Purchase softball team, her family and her mom has had to deal with this disease. Our mission is to help those affected by breast cancer by bringing attention to it, encouraging early detection, education and support services.
"By joining together today, we are standing together in our commitment to walking alongside women through every step of their journey against breast cancer," Ciafardini added.
Although visiting Cobleskill would earn a sweep (12-0, 5-4), Purchase showed plenty of resilience both on and off the field, especially in game two, where a Panther rally fell short late.
In addition to the "Pink Day," the program honored its best student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom.
"We also wanted to take a moment today to acknowledge not just the success of our teams in the field of play. Purchase college student-athletes have been just as successful in the classroom, and that's honestly the place that matters most.
"Of about 250 student-athletes, 143 of them have a GPA above 3.0. In addition, we have asked our Skyline Conference Academic Honor Roll selections from the fall to join us today," Ciafardini said to a large crowd that included faculty, staff and dignitaries, among them Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Barry Pearson, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dennis Craig.
"The conference honored student-athletes with a 3.3 GPA or better on a 4.0 score, while competing in men's and women's cross country, golf, men's and women's soccer, women's tennis and women's volleyball. Among the 447 league honorees across 11 member institutions, Purchase has 43 selections."
Following the festivities, the first game of the doubleheader was closer than the final score would indicate. Cobleskill scored five in the fourth and seven in the fifth on its way to the run-rule win. Hannah Hoffman led the Fighting Tigers with three hits and two RBI.
Like the theme of the afternoon in the battle against cancer, Purchase fought until the end.
Kentris (JR/Latham, NY) laced a double in the fifth, as the Panthers had runners on in their comeback attempt. The leadoff hitter finished with two hits, including that double – the milestone 100th hit of her career. The ball was lined down right field, prompting a stoppage in play to honor the star. Kentris' parents, who were in attendance, also surprised the 2017 All-Skyline 1st Teamer with a banner showcasing the milestone (pictured below).
The Panthers performed better in game two, carrying some of that fight with them into the late afternoon nightcap.
Cobleskill scored three runs in the third, but Purchase answered with three in the bottom half of the inning.
The visitors recovered and scored twice in the fifth before the Panthers threatened with one run in the seventh, closing the gap to 5-4.
But the rally fell short after a
Kelly Agostini (FR/Centereach, NY) RBI single. For the game,
Kelly Hayes (JR/Staten Island, NY) and Agostini each finished with two hits. Agostini added two RBI in defeat.
In the win, Nicole Flint, Ali Changa and Hoffman had two hits apiece. Changa had the go-ahead RBI in the fifth, which made it 4-3. Teammate Brianna Becker had the other RBI in the inning – the eventual game winner.
