PURCHASE, N.Y. — The Hunter College softball team (2-4) wrapped up a non-conference doubleheader against Purchase College (3-1) on Sunday, delivering a dominant offensive showing in Game 1 with a 21-13 victory before falling just short in Game 2 5-4.

Game 1: Hunter College 21, Purchase College 13
Hunter College set the tone early in Game 1, putting together a 15-hit performance and scoring in six of seven innings, leading to a commanding 21-13 win. The Hawks jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning, capitalizing on a walk, an error, and a bases-loaded RBI from Jessica Hernandez. After Purchase College cut the deficit to one, Hunter College answered back with two more runs in the second, highlighted by an RBI double from Nicole Bowe.

The turning point came in the fourth inning when Hunter College strung together six runs to extend its lead. Olivia Palumbo cleared the bases with a triple, while Paige Witalec and Nicole Bowe followed up with back-to-back RBI doubles. The Hawks continued to pile on runs, adding four in the fifth and five more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Paige Witalec finished 3-for-4 with five RBIs, including two doubles, while Olivia Palumbo went 4-for-6 with five RBIs and a triple. Grace Basil also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a stolen base. Grace Basil earned the win in the circle, pitching six innings while allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 18 hits.

Game 2: Purchase College 5, Hunter College 4
Game 2 was a much tighter contest, with Hunter College taking an early 4-1 lead in the second inning before Purchase College slowly chipped away and edged out a 5-4 win.

The Hawks made a strong start, taking the lead with a four-run second inning. The highlight was Paige Witalec's two-run double that brought in Jessica Galva and Jessica Hernandez. However, after that inning, Hunter College's offense struggled to regain momentum, while Purchase College's pitching set them apart, keeping the Hawks scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Hunter College's best chance to regain the lead came in the fifth inning, when Grace Basil singled and stole second, but the Hawks couldn't bring her home. Isabella Thumhart pitched all six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts.

Up Next
Hunter College looks to continue its season as the Hawks travel for a doubleheader at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., on March 18. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at 5 p.m.