PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College softball team concluded the regular season with double losses against Manhattanville on Monday afternoon, while celebrating their lone senior, Jade D'Errico (Wantagh, NY).
With the results, the Blue and Orange hold a 9-22 overall record and 5-13 in conference action, while the Valiants improved to 28-8 and 17-1, respectively.
Game One: Manhattanville 15, Purchase 0 (5 inn)
Before the game commenced, Allison Cammarata (FY/Coram, NY) and Katie Straub (FY/Lynbrook, NY) sang the national anthem, setting a special tone for the day dedicated to D'errico.
In Game One, Manhattanville surged ahead with a strong start, scoring six runs at the top of the second inning, and then continued their momentum by adding nine more runs over the final three innings of the game.
Despite efforts from the Panthers, they were unable to produce any runs.
Samantha Christopher's (FY/North Babylon, NY) recorded the team's only hit.
On the mound, Christopher allowed 10 runs on six hits and committed eight errors over three innings, concluding the season with a 3-5 record. Abigail Lipkin (SO/Bethlehem, PA) took over for the final two innings, conceding five runs on five hits, with four errors and one strikeout.
Game Two: Manhattanville 15, Purchase 0 (5 inn)
During the break, the team took to the field to honor their senior with flowers and gifts, as a speech prepared by the coaches was read aloud. D'Errico's teammates shared heartfelt sentiments, shedding many tears as they bid farewell to their graduating captain, who despite her soft-spoken nature, had made a significant impact on the team.
Unswayed by the emotional sentiments, the Valiants launched into the game with determination, scoring nine runs in the first three innings and sealing their victory with six more in the fifth.
Christopher and Rebecca Bronzi (JR/Lagrangeville, NY) secured the lone hits of the game for the team.
Olivia Goff (FY/Syracuse, NY) pitched two innings and allowed seven runs on four hits before Straub took over to pitch the final three. She recorded eight runs on 10 hits and one strikeout.
The Panthers will return in 2025 for a new campaign and and a roster bolstered by experience.
