NEW YORK- The Hunter College softball team heated up the rainy Saturday, snapping the team's skid as they opened up conference play with a pair of wins at home against Lehman. The Hawks' offense was explosive, starting the day with a 10-2 win, followed by a 14-2 victory, highlighted by four home runs, two of which came off the bat of
Jessica Fowler, including a grand slam. The senior went 3-for-5 on the day, with six RBIs, four runs, and two stolen bases in addition to a walk.
Hunter (7–15, 2–0 CUNYAC) combined for 27 runs across both games, and a pair of complete-game pitching performances. But it wasn't just the offense that carried the day — Hunter's defense stayed sharp behind their pitchers, committing just four total errors over 11 innings and turning multiple key outs to contain the Lightening (4-10, 0-2 CUNYAC). Adriana Ramirez was behind the plate for both wins, ccollecting six putouts while throwing out two baserunners and committing no errors despite the slippery conditions. Nicole Bowe was also instrumental for the Hawks on the day, reaching base in seven of eight plate appearances as she collected five hits, four RBIs and a trio of stolen bases.
Game 1: Hunter 10, Lehman 2
In the opener, Grace Basil tossed a complete game, scattering three hits and allowing just one earned run over six innings to grab the win. The senior right-hander benefited from clean fielding behind her, including a pair of putouts from Paige Witalec at shortstop and quick tags on the basepaths that cut down Lehman's limited chances.
Hunter's defense stranded five Lehman runners and turned several routine plays efficiently. Notably, Fowler and Bowe each made smart reads on infield pops and grounders, while Ramirez was solid behind the plate, throwing out a would-be base stealer and tracking a bunt to record a force-out at first.
Offensively, the Hawks posted a season-high 14 hits in a game, scoring in five of six innings. Lead off hittter, Olivia Palumbo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Witalec added two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Bowe delivered a 2-for-3 performance with three RBIs and a walk. Rosales Rosenthal collected three hits, and Fowler reached base twice, scoring both times and swiping two bags. Elizabeth Thompson chipped in with an RBI double and scored twice, while Ramirez went 2-for-4 and added stole a base.
Game 2: Hunter 14, Lehman 2
Hunter erupted for 14 runs in a five-inning rout in Game 2, headlined by a historic offensive performance. Fowler blasted two home runs, including a grand slam in the first inning, and finished with six RBIs. Witalec and Rosales Rosenthal added homers of their own, and the Hawks jumped out to a 9–1 lead after the first frame.
Witalec went 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs in the win. Palumbo added two hits, a double, a stolen base, and an RBI, while Bowe went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Thompson and Basil added doubles, and the Hawks racked up 13 hits in total. Palumbo, Bowe, Witalec, Thompson, Johany Galva, and Fowler all recorded stolen bases in the win.
Isabella Thumhart pitched five solid innings to pick up her third win of the season, striking out five and walking three. Behind her, the infield helped snuff out scoring opportunities, including a third-inning fielder's choice play by Witalec that prevented a run from scoring and a clean double play started by Bowe at third base in the fourth.
Hunter committed just two errors in Game 2 and kept Lehman from capitalizing on any late-inning rallies. Ramirez added another throwout to stop a stolen base attempt, while Galva and Thompson showed range in the outfield to corral several fly balls in difficult weather conditions.
Hunter returns to action Tuesday, April 8, with a nonconference doubleheader at SUNY Old Westbury. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at 6 p.m.
