BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 Montclair, N.J.- The Hunter College women's softball team grabbed its first win of the 2024 season as they split a double header on the road against Montclair State.

Game 1
Hunter (1-3) dropped the first game, 0-8 to Red Hawks (6-6) despite four hits from the Purple and Gold. Grace Basil got the action started for the Hawks with a single to left field at the top of the first. Hunter's most productive inning came in the top of the fourth as Paige Witalec and Samantha Marsala each recorded singles. Johany Galva added another hit for Hunter in the fifth but the team was unable to drive anything home as Montclair's offense overwhelmed the team. Basil (0-1) was credited with the loss after pitching three innings before T'ea Panagakos stepped in to relieve. 

Game 2
Hunter came out with renewed energy in the second game with neither side allowing a run through the first three innings. The Hawks' pitcher, Alyssa Curiale, delivered an impressive performance, shutting down the Montclair offense as she finished the game with seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits while striking out seven batters.

The decisive moment of the game came in the fourth inning when Hunter broke the deadlock. Witalec led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Alyssa Curiale helped her own cause with a crucial RBI double, driving in Witalec to give the Purple and Gold a 1-0 lead.

Hunter added another insurance run in the sixth inning, as Witalec once again played a pivotal role, this time singling to right field. Curiale followed up with her second hit of the game, a double to right center, bringing Witalec home and extending Hunter's lead to 2-0.

Despite a late rally attempt by Montclair in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Hawks' defense held firm to secure the victory. With runners on base, Hunter's defense made key plays to stifle Montclair's offense and preserve the shutout.