MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Hunter College softball team (1-3) battled through a doubleheader against St. Elizabeth (7-3) on Saturday afternoon, bouncing back in Game 2 with a dramatic extra-inning victory after dropping the opener 6-0.

Game 1
Hunter College struggled to generate offense in the first game, falling 6-0 to St. Elizabeth. The Hawks collected five hits but were unable to string them together against a strong pitching performance from St. Elizabeth's K. DeGaetani, who tossed a complete-game shutout with six strikeouts.

Sonia Rosenthal and Grace Basil led the offense with two hits each, while Sonia Rosenthal also doubled for Hunter College's lone extra-base hit. Grace Basil pitched all six innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out two.

Game 2
The Hawks responded in Game 2 with a resilient effort, securing their first win of the season in extra innings with a 5-4 victory. Paige Witalec and Isabella Thumhart powered the offense, combining for five of Hunter College's nine hits, while Isabella Thumhart also pitched a complete game to earn her first win of the season.

Trailing 2-1 in the fifth, Hunter College evened the score when Paige Witalec reached on a fielder's choice, driving in Gresiy Puello. The Hawks took their first lead of the day in the seventh, as Sonia Rosenthal delivered an RBI single to bring home Paige Witalec. However, St. Elizabeth forced extra innings, tying the game in the bottom of the seventh on a passed ball.

In the eighth, Hunter College capitalized on an error to take a 4-3 lead, before Isabella Thumhart followed with a single to left, advancing another runner to third. Olivia Palumbo then delivered the game-winning RBI single to center field, giving Hunter College a crucial insurance run. St. Elizabeth threatened in the bottom half, but Isabella Thumhart shut the door, securing the victory with a game-ending groundout.

Isabella Thumhart threw all eight innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out two. Paige Witalec finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Olivia Palumbo and Sonia Rosenthal each added an RBI in the win.

Up Next
Hunter College looks to build on its momentum as the Hawks return to action on March 16, traveling for a doubleheader at Purchase College in Purchase, N.Y.