Brooklyn, NY - The Hunter softball team opened their season on Friday afternoon with a non-conference game against the Bears of St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn. After scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh, the Hawks were unable to close out the final three outs without letting up two runs, resulting in a 4-3 loss.
Samantha Molloy had a very productive day, going 2-3 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Teammate
Allyson Bricker had two singles, a double and one RBI and nine putouts on the defensive end.
Caroline Bibula was in the circle for the entire game and allowed four earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out five.
After two and a half scoreless innings, St. Joe's Vivian Tomovich got a hold of one and homered to left field to make a 1-0 game. With two outs, Alexis Buchanan singled, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball and put herself in scoring position. Teammate Ashleigh Hartwig drove her in on an infield single to third, giving the Bears a 2-0 advantage.
In the top of the fourth,
Caroline Bibula and and
Alana Vezza each singled to give the Purple and Gold runners on first and second with two outs. Molloy came up big with a two-RBI double to right center, leveling the playing field at 2-2.
The score remained knotted at two a piece until the top of the seventh Molloy once again got on with a single to left field and advanced to second with a stolen base. With two outs, Bricker doubled to left field, scoring Molloy for the go-ahead run and putting the Purple and Gold up 3-2.
However, in the bottom of the seventh, the Bears put their first three batters on to load the bases with none out.
Brittney Salvador made a play from third to home to get the lead runner and prevent the run from scoring, but Hartwig's two-RBI single with one out gave St. Joseph's the 4-3 win.
Hunter is back in action on Wednesday, March 20 in their home and CUNYAC opener. They will take on York College in a double header beginning at 3pm at Randall's Island Field #10.
