Kissimmee, Fla. — The SUNY Old Westbury softball team opened Thursday's Spring Games doubleheader with a 4-1 loss to Edgewood University at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex before bouncing back to capture its first win of the season with a 4-3 victory over Buffalo State.
GAME ONE: Edgewood University: 4 SUNY OLD WESTBURY: 1
Edgewood came out quickly and put Old Westbury in an early hole, scoring two runs in the first inning before adding another in the second to take a 3-0 lead. The Panthers answered with their lone run of the game in the third inning, but the Eagles added an insurance run in the fifth and held on for the 4-1 victory.
Despite the loss, Old Westbury collected nine hits in the contest and continued to battle throughout the afternoon. The Panthers were able to break through in the third inning and kept Edgewood off the scoreboard in the fourth while looking to chip away at the deficit.
Phylicia Cangemi scored the only run of the game for Old Westbury and also recorded a hit. Aliya Feerick paced the Panthers offensively with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Madison Muehling added two hits. Jessica Feerick, Amanda Varela, Olivia Toto, and Phylicia Cangemi each added one hit, while Ashley Pierce drove in the Panthers' lone run. Old Westbury also got a hit-by-pitch from Pierce and a sacrifice bunt from Varela.
Defensively, the Panthers were charged with no errors and turned in a scoreless fourth inning to stay within striking distance.
GAME TWO: SUNY OLD WESTBURY: 4 BUFFALO STATE: 3
After trailing 1-0 through the first five innings and falling behind 2-0 in the top of the sixth, the Panthers responded with their biggest inning of the game in the bottom half of the frame. Old Westbury scored four runs on three hits to take a 4-2 lead and never looked back. Buffalo State added one run in the seventh, but the Panthers closed the door to secure the comeback victory.
Old Westbury showed several positives in the win, including timely hitting, patience at the plate, and strong defense. The Panthers scored four runs on just four hits, drew five walks, and played error-free softball in the field. Old Westbury also came through in the clutch, producing all four of its runs in the sixth inning.
Katie Knecht delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBI and a stolen base. Ashley Pierce went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, while Camila Uribe added an RBI single. Madison Muehling scored one run and drew a walk, and Aliya Feerick added a hit and a walk. Olivia Toto, Faith Binaso, and Christina Ravo each scored a run as pinch runners in the comeback effort.
In the circle, Olivia DeRose tossed a complete game to earn her first win of the season. DeRose struck out five and worked through seven innings, helping Old Westbury hold Buffalo State to three runs despite eight hits.
What's Next?
Old Westbury will look to keep the momentum going as the Panthers continue Spring Games play against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on Friday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Winter Haven, Fla.
