Staten Island, NY – The top seeded Hunter (19-9, 11-1) softball team opened play in the first round of the CUNYAC Championship Tournament earlier this afternoon, with a convincing 8-1 win over #4 John Jay. The Hawk's hurler, Nicole Guzzone, held the Bloodhounds at bay while her teammates took care of business on the offensive end, chalking up eight runs on nine hits and advancing to the winner's bracket of the first day of action.
 
Jamie Durso went 3-3 on the day while Brittney Salvador contributed big with a 2-3 effort at the plate which included a home run, a double and three RBI. Alana Vezza also had a productive day, scoring two runs for the Hawks and registering one walk and one stolen base. Guzzone pitched all five innings and allowed just one hit while striking out five to earn her fifth win of the season.
 
John Jay (13-20, 7-5) earned their only hit off the bat of Mariela Guzman in the top of the first. In the top of the third, after a walk and a sacrifice bunt, the Bloodhounds had a runner in scoring position with two outs but were unable to capitalize as Jessica Barbaria struck out swinging to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the third, Colleen McCoy reached on an error and then Vezza was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. The two advanced on a passed ball and McCoy scored on a sacrifice from Caroline Bibula. Brittney Salvador smacked a two-run homerun to make it a 3-0 game.
 
The Hawks threatened in the fourth with a runner on third and one out, but Kayla Pilotti and McCoy grounded out to the pitcher and second base respectively to end the inning. However, the bats got going in the bottom of the fifth. A leadoff walk from Vezza followed by a stolen base set the opening stage. Back-to-back doubles from Bibula and Salvador made it a 5-0 affair. With Salvador on third, a failed pickoff attempt resulted in a run and Bricker, who walked in her at bat, advanced to second. Durso singled and then Gianna Raimondi drove Bricker in with a single. A sac fly by Pilotti scored Durso to end the game on the run rule.
 
Hunter will play the winner of #3 Lehman vs. #2 CSI later today at approximately 2:15pm.