NEWBURGH, N.Y. — The Hunter College softball team (11-21) split its Tuesday doubleheader against Mount Saint Mary College (6-16), falling 9-0 in Game 1 before bouncing back with a shutout win in the second contest. The Hawks' offense found its rhythm late in the day, while their pitching and defense proved unshakable in the nightcap.

Game 1: Hunter 0, MSMC 9
The Hawks got off to a tough start, struggling offensively against non-conference opponent Mount Saint Mary College. Senior, Nicole Bowe took the mound for the Hawks, a new position to the stealthy infielder, in just her fourth career appearance, facing 21 batters. The Hawks' batters struggled against the Knights' pitcher, as the opposition struck out six without letting up a hit over five inning, for a perfect performance. Despite struggles at the plate, the Hawks maintained composure on defense, committing zero errors in the loss. Paige Witalec led the field with four put outs, while Adriana Ramirez and Elizabeth Thompson added two each.

Game 2: Hunter 2, MSMC 0
Hunter answered back with a shutout of it's own in the second game of the day. Grace Basil and Isabella Thumhart combined for a four-hit shutout in the circle, with Basil tossing four scoreless innings to earn her sixth win of the year and Thumhart finishing the final three frames to notch her first career save. The Hawks did not allow a run despite Mount Saint Mary putting multiple runners on base in the late innings.

After four scoreless innings, Hunter broke through in the top of the fifth when Elizabeth Thompson singled and came around to score on an RBI single by Witalec, The Hawks added an insurance run in the seventh when Thompson singled again and scored on a defensive miscue following a single by Olivia Palumbo and a groundout from Witalec.

Adriana Ramirez led the offense with a 2-for-4 effort, while Jessica Fowler, Johany Galva, and Thumhart each added base hits. Galva's triple in the second inning was one of the day's offensive highlights, though she was stranded at third. Fowler and Galva also made key defensive plays late to help preserve the shutout.

In the field, the Hawks stayed composed despite a pair of errors, turning multiple groundouts to prevent the Knights from scoring. Basil struck out three and allowed just one hit in her four innings of work in the circle while adding five putouts for the Hawks. In addition to her work on the mound, Thumhart recorded careers in putouts and assists, with eight and four respectively.

The Hawks continue a busy week on the field, as they resume conference play with a doubleheader against John Jay College on April 23, before heading to York for another CUNYAC matchup the following day. Wednesday's games will be played at Fordham, starting at 5 p.m.