Box Score 1
NEW YORK, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury opened its 2014 season Friday afternoon on the road against the Hunter Hawks from Randall's Island. The Hawks (1-0) won a narrow 12-11 decision in the opener before the finale was called in the fourth inning due to darkness with both teams knotted at 2-2.
Old Westbury's starter Nicole DeCola got off to a shaky start in the first inning, giving up three runs on two hits, one walk and two wild pitches.Â
DeCola and the Panthers settled down and bounced back to plate four runs in the second to jump ahead by one run. Delana Murray reached base on an error by first baseman Briana Lombardo, which allowed Katie Rizzo to score to spark the two out rally. Following a Gabriella Valdes walk, Samantha Howley clubbed a two-run double and later scored off an RBI Jennifer Jean single to grab a 4-3 lead.Â
Hunter answered with three more runs in the second while Alyssa Czarnecki responded for the Panthers in the third with an RBI single to score Jessica Deptulski to trim to deficit to one run.Â
Hunter added two more runs in the bottom of the third before Old Westbury knotted the game at 8-8 in the sixth with an Alexis Ferrero RBI-double followed by Corrine Protasiewicz's two-run single.Â
Hunter took a brief 10-8 run in the sixth by scoring two runs off reliever Ferrero.Â
Howley once again delivered in the seventh with an RBI-single and then scored along with Valdes when Jean reached on an error by center fielder Briana Kresback to put the Panthers ahead, 11-10.Â
In the bottom of the seventh, the Hawks loaded the bases and Nicole Fillisetti drew a walk to tie the game at 11-all. Kristen McGoldrick then singled home Victoria Slavik for the game-winner.
Ferrero (0-1) was dealt Old Westbury's loss after recording two outs in relief of DeCola. DeCola worked 5.1 innings in the circle, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on seven hits and nine walks before Ferrero gave up two runs on four hits and four walks.Â
Samantha Howley carried the big bat for the Panthers with a career-high four hits in five at bats, including three RBI, three runs scored (tied career-high) and two stolen bases (career-high). Jean (2-4, RBI, R, BB), Protasiewicz (2-4, 2 RBI) and Rizzo (2-4, R) each added multi-hit performances as the Panthers held a 13-11 advantage in hits. Leadoff hitter Valdes (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SB) and Murray (0-4, 2 R, RBI, SB) each scored a pair of runs. Old Westbury also stole six bases compared to Hunter's one. Â
Erika Colangelo (1-0) picked up Hunter's win by tossing 4.1 innings in relief of Amanda Annicaro. Colangelo surrendered six runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out four.
Lombardo (2-4, RBI, BB) and Meghan O'Shea (2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB) each registered two hits to lead Hunter.      Â
PURCHASE PANTHERS UP NEXT FOR OLD WESTBURY: Old Westbury returns to the field on Saturday (March 22) for a Skyloine Conference opening doubleheader with the Purchase Panthers at 11 a.m. from Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex in Old Westbury, New York. Â Â Â
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