PURCHASE, N.Y. — The SUNY Old Westbury softball team dropped a Skyline Conference doubleheader to Manhattanville University on Friday afternoon at Valiants Field. The Panthers fell 3-2 in Game 1 before being shut out 5-0 in Game 2.
GAME 1: Manhattanville 3, Old Westbury 2
Old Westbury battled in a tightly contested opener but came up just short despite matching Manhattanville with 11 hits.
The Valiants struck first with two runs in the second inning before Ashley Pierce responded in the fourth with a solo home run to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Manhattanville added an insurance run in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 3-1.
The Panthers made a late push in the seventh as Pierce delivered again with an RBI single, scoring Aliya Feerick, but the rally fell short as Old Westbury dropped the opener, 3-2.
Pierce led the Panthers with a perfect 4-for-4 performance and two RBIs. Katie Knecht and Madison Muehling each added two hits, while Feerick, Jessica Feerick, and Yelina Arias contributed offensively.
GAME 2: Manhattanville 5, Old Westbury 0
Old Westbury was unable to generate offensive momentum in Game 2 as Manhattanville completed the sweep.
The Valiants took advantage of early opportunities, scoring in the first inning before adding insurance runs in the third and a three-run fifth to take control.
The Panthers were limited to six hits in the game, with Aliya Feerick, Katie Knecht, Amanda Varela, Phylicia Cangemi, and Madison Muehling each recording hits.
Despite putting runners on base, Old Westbury was unable to capitalize on scoring chances as Manhattanville secured the 5-0 victory.
WHAT OLD WESTBURY DID WELL
The Panthers showed consistency at the plate in Game 1, recording 11 hits and applying pressure throughout the lineup.
Ashley Pierce delivered a standout performance, accounting for both RBIs while reaching base in all four at-bats.
Defensively, Old Westbury remained active and limited additional damage in key moments, keeping both games within reach early.
GAME LEADERS
Game 1:
Ashley Pierce: 4-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Katie Knecht: 2-for-3
Madison Muehling: 2-for-3
Aliya Feerick: 1-for-4, R
Yelina Arias: 1-for-3
Game 2:
Aliya Feerick: 1-for-3
Katie Knecht: 1-for-3
Amanda Varela: 2-for-3
Phylicia Cangemi: 1-for-3
Madison Muehling: 1-for-3
WHAT'S NEXT?
Old Westbury will look to bounce back as they continue Skyline Conference play on May 2nd taking on Purchase College in a double header starting at 1:00 PM. The double header will mark the Panthers final home double header of the season and will be a key game as the Panthers will make a push towards postseason play.
