PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College softball team recorded a win and a loss Sunday afternoon, as the Panthers split a Skyline Conference doubleheader with St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn, amid intense rain and frigid temperatures.
Despite the cold weather, the Panthers opened the first game quickly by putting up two runs in the first frame. After a leadoff double from
Victoria Capone-Froio (SR/Yonkers, NY) started the inning,
Cassidy Montes (SO/Yonkers, NY) smacked an RBI triple to right field during the next at-bat for the early lead.
A couple batters later,
Kelly Hayes (SR/Staten Island, NY) drove Montes in on a groundout to second base and Purchase led 2-0.
That remained the score until the third, when the Bears tied the game with a pair of runs. The first came off a double steal, before a sacrifice fly scored the tying run later in the frame.
The Panthers continued to fight though and were eventually rewarded at the end. In the bottom of the sixth, Capone-Froio again leadoff with a double, and later advanced to third on a bunt single from
Kelly Agostini (SO/Centereach, NY).
Gabriella Carnevale (SO/Cateret, NJ) then came in to pinch run for Agostini, and immediately made an impact by stealing second.
That set up Hayes to be the hero, and the senior delivered. Hayes drilled a triple to right field, easily scoring Capone-Froio and Carnevale, as the Panthers regained the lead. After a fielder's choice,
Kaitlyn Antonelli (SO/Yonkers, NY) concluded the scoring, as she smashed an RBI double for Purchase, and put the hosts up, 5-2.
Entering the top of the seventh, St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn was left with just three outs to try to make a comeback. However, the Panthers' defense was up for the task and didn't yield a hit in the final inning, as they collected the win.
Montes was the winning pitcher for Purchase, after she tossed a 7-inning complete game. The sophomore allowed just the two runs on six hits, and is now 4-3 on the year. Victoria Mahoney (SR/Allenwood, NJ) received the loss for St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn.
Following the defeat, the Bears clearly weren't happy with the result and showed it with their play in game two. The guests exploded with five runs in the first, three in the fourth and four in the fifth to cap off the fireworks display. From there, they led 12-0, where the contest finished.
Jessica Mecham (FR/West Jordan, UT) earned the win for St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn. She tossed a 5-inning complete game and allowed just one hit on the mound. She also helped herself by knocking in two hits and four RBIs in the effort. Agostini received the loss for the Panthers.
Up next for Purchase is a return to non-conference action, as the Panthers take on Western Connecticut State on April 2nd in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and you can follow the games here.
