Mahwah, NJ:  The Ramapo College softball team split a double header today against SUNY New Paltz at the Athletic Center. The Hawks defeated the Roadrunners 3-1 in game one while Ramapo shutout New Paltz in game two 2-0. The Roadrunners now stand at 9-5 overall while the Hawks move to 7-9 on the year.
 
Game one:
Jackie Howarth got the Roadrunners on the board with some heads up base running in the bottom of the first inning. Howarth singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a single from Krista Verrino. Ally Spellman then hit a pop up in foul territory towards the first base dugout that was caught by the first basemen. Howarth, seeing home plate not covered by the Hawks defense, raced home and slide in safely head first for the 1-0 lead.
 
In the fourth, the Hawks pushed across two runs with two bases loaded walks before the Roadrunners got out of the inning down 2-1. A RBI single from Madison Rappold in the fifth extended the Hawks lead 3-1. The Roadrunners brought the game-tying run to the plate in their final two at bats but could not push a run across to extend the game as the Hawks came away with the non-conference road win 3-1.  
 
New Paltz starting pitcher Lauren Cappello went the distance with one strikeout, two walks and scattered six hits.
 
Erin Fitzsimmons (1-2) took the loss for Ramapo as she struck out one, walked four and surrendered two runs and two hits in 3.2 innings of work. Christina Brizek came into the game in the fourth and worked the final 3.1 innings. She struck out two, walked two and scattered four hits.
 
Game two:
The Roadrunners scored the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the first inning. Howarth led off with a double down the left field line before Ally Spellman followed with a double of her own to score Howarth for the 1-0 lead. In the third inning, Shannon Cox singled and later came around to score on an infield error to extend the Ramapo lead 2-0.
 
Ramapo starting pitcher Katrina Buczkowski (4-0) struck out seven and did not walk a batter in the complete game win while she scattered four hits. Five different Roadrunners each collected one hit in the game.
 
Ramapo will open up NJAC conference play on the road on Saturday when they travel to #22 Kean University for a doubleheader at 1pm.