A Quick Look
Three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning sunk the SUNY Oneonta softball team in a 7-6 loss to New Paltz in the opening game for both squads in the 2019 SUNYAC tournament.  The loss drops Oneonta to 16-20-1 overall with its next game schedule for tomorrow at 9am against top-seeded Cortland.
 
The Inside Story
Oneonta jumped all over the New Paltz starter in the first inning scoring four runs to grab the early lead.  The Red Dragons loaded the bases with two outs before three straight singles by freshman Madison Capozucca (South Glens Falls/South Glens Falls) and juniors Brooke Corbett (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Central) and Bailey Schwark (Port Ewen/Kingston) plated the first three runs, which chased the New Paltz starter from the game.  Capozucca scored the final run of the inning when sophomore Amanda Sexton (Port Jervis/Port Jervis) was hit by a pitch forcing her in from third.
 
The Hawks came right back in the bottom of the first scoring three runs to slice its deficit.  New Paltz benefited by a couple of errors leading to all three runs being unearned.
 
New Paltz tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single up the middle by Shannon Fee that brought home Kelsey Trudden.
 
Oneonta rallied in the sixth to score a pair of runs aided by an error.  Senior Dana Del Genio (New Hartford/New Hartford) got things started with a sharp single to left field.  She came around to score on a throwing error by the pitcher after a single by junior Jade Meehan (Halcottsville/Roxbury Central).  Meehan then scored from third base on a single by senior Lauren Sabatino (Bayville/Locust Valley).
 
In the bottom of the frame, New Paltz loaded the bases with two outs aided by an error.  Ashley Puig then cleared the bases with a double to right center field scoring Nicole DePaola, Julia DiSpigna and Nina Simms giving the Hawks a 7-6 lead.
 
Winning pitcher Emily Fox issued a walk in the seventh, but didn't allow another runner ending the game with a strikeout.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta collected 10 hits in the game including two each from Meehan, Sabatino and Capozucca.  Despite the loss, junior Alyssa Bluethgen (Commack/Commack) struck out six and was charged with just one earned run.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will look to stave off elimination tomorrow when it faces its rival Red Dragons.  If Oneonta defeats Cortland, they will play again at 3pm in another elimination game.