Jersey City, NJ - The Hunter softball team lost to New Jersey City University in both games of a double header this afternoon, each by just a single run. The Hawks record now stands at 1-7 overall.

Game 1 (Hunter-0 NJCU-0)
It was a pitcher's dual in the first game with each team managing just four hits. T'ea Panagakos tossed all six innings and walked two while striking out one in the circle. Sophia Perez accounted for two hits while the other two came from the bats of Nicole Bowe and Leah Dillon. The Hawks stranded just three runners the entire game.

The Purple and Gold were aggressive early after Perez reached on a game opening single to left center, and then advanced to second on the throw. She then advanced to third on a wild pitch, giving Hunter a runner in scoring position with just one out. However, in a bold move, Perez attempted to get her team on the scoreboard first and tried stealing home but was called out.

Panagakos got herself out of a jam in the bottom of the first after NJCU threatened with runners on second and third with two outs, but the righty struck out Tunney to end the inning. In the top of the fourth, Perez reached on a single to start the inning and then advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third. However, with two outs, the Hawks were unable to capitalize as Olivia Palumbo struck out to end the inning.

NJCU was also unable to capitalize with two on and two out in the bottom of the fourth. Dillon got Villaneu to ground out to third to end the inning and keep the Gothic Knights scoreless. However, in the bottom of the sixth, the hosts had two outs with a runner on third. Mojica singled to drive in a run and made it 1-0.

With last licks, Bowe lead off with a double and then stole stole second. With two outs and the Hawks facing a one run deficit, they were unable to drive the run home as Jessica Fowler struck out to end the frst game.

Game 2 (Hunter-7 NJCU-7)
Despite the box score showing seven hits for both teams and just one Hunter error compared to five NJCU miscues, it was a big first inning by the hosts that proved to be the difference maker. The Hawks allowed seven runs in the bottom of the opening frame and had to play catch-up the rest of the way. They wound up scoring six but fell just shy in the final inning.

Paige Witalec had a productive outing, posting a 2-3 performance with a double, RBI and walk while teammate Bowe was 2-4 with two singles and a run batted in. In total, there were five women with RBI's. Sarah Schor started the game but made an early exit. Despite recording the first two outs, she allowed six hits and seven runs (five earned) before she was pulled. Leah Dillon came in for early releif and tossed an impressive 5.1 innings and allowed just one hit and striking out two.

Perez started the game off by reaching on an error and found herself on third with two outs, But similar to the first game, she was stopped there as Palumbo grounded out to end the inning.

After the Hawks retired the first two batters in the bottom frame, four consecutive doubles and a single ensued resulting in three NJCU runs. Schor allowed a walk and another double before being pulled. Dillon entered the game facing a 5-0 deficit and runners on second and third. A throwing error allowed two more before the bleeding stopped. After the end of the first, Hunter trailed 7-0.

Kayla Pilotti opened the third by reaching on an error and then advanced to second. She was driven home on a double from Perez. A Bowe single and Witalec double scored two which cut the deficit to 7-3. 

Panagakos grounded out to second base in the top of the sixth inning but drove in Fowler to put the Hawks within two at 7-4. In the top of the seventh, Perez lead off with a walk and then moved to third on a single from Bowe and then scored on a wild pitch. With the bases juiced and none out, Samantha Marsala had an RBI single to advance all the runners and make it a one run ballgame. However, the next three batters popped up, fouled out and struck out to end the rally.

Up next, the Hawks will face Rutgers-Newark on the road on Tuesday, March 29. The first game of the double header will start at 3pm