Staten Island, NY - The second seeded Hunter Hawks took on Baruch College once again on the second and final day of action in the 2016 CUNYAC/Modell's Softball Championship. A big come from behind, 6-5 victory pushed the Hawks into the championship round where they were shut out against the College of Staten Island, 8-0 and ultimately settling for CUNYAC runner up status.

Game 1 Recap vs. Baruch
Unlike yesterday's lopsided affair, today's contest was played more on an even keel. The Hawks ripped 12 hits off the Bearcats with four having multiple hit outings. Both Taylor Crofts and Christine Kline went 2-4 with two runs scored while Briana Monaco went 2-3 on the day and scored a run. It was a collective effort in the circle as the Purple and Gold utilized three pitchers to secure the win. Danielle Zurek gave up three runs on four hits with two strike outs in the first two innings. After, Sara beck gave her team a solid four innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three. Erika Colangelo came in to wrap up the game, striking out two while not allowing a hit or a run.

An Emily Ruiz RBI triple in the bottom of the first gave her team an early 1-0 lead. Baruch fired back right away with a run of their own in the second. Monaco scored on a Baruch miscue in the bottom of the second to give the Purple and Gold the lead once again. However, it was short lived as the Bearcats responded with a three-run third inning, turning the tables and putting Hunter in a 4-2 hole.

The deficit grew to three runs in the top of the fifth, but the Hawk bats came through in the clutch. After leadoff hits from Crofts and Kline, both players rounded the bases and scored as the bases remained juiced. Pinch hitting for Alana Vezza, Victoria Slavik stepped the plate and smacked an RBI single to score Beck and tie the game in the process. The game winning run came off the bat of Kline when she belted a home run over the left field wall which proved to be just enough. Colangelo and the Hawk defense took care of Baruch in the top of the seventh and held them scoreless to seal the deal.

Game 2 Recap vs. CSI
Facing CSI in an elimination game, the Hawks were unable to get their bats going and put runners on base. With difficulty against CSI pitcher Jacqueline Cautela, Hunter was no-hit in the contest but did draw two walks. Colangelo, after being solid throughout the tournament, was overpowered by the CSI bats. She allowed six runs on five hits before Zurek took over. She tossed 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on three hits.

CSI dealt a devastating blow in the bottom of the first inning after tacking on six runs on five hits. With three on and two out with the Dolphins already up 2-0, the lead was increased after a Notaro base-clearing double and a follow up triple from Trapani set the Hawks back 6-0 heading into the second. Unable to get the bats going, Hunter surrendered another two runs in the fourth inning to go eight runs in the whole. They were unable to chip away at the lead and get base runners and after five innings, would up falling 8-0 and earning runner up status in the process.