Hudson Valley Softball Advances to NJCAA Division III National Championship
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
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1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | X | 8 | 10 | 2 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 3 |
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1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 5 |
CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu,(518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, May 15, 2025
The Hudson Valley Community College softball team punched their ticket to the NJCAA Division 3 Softball National Championship Tournament for the first time in 10 years after they completed the series sweep of Corning in the Region 3A Championship on Thursday afternoon on the campus of HVCC.
GAME ONE: #1 Hudson Valley 8, #4 Corning 5 (Final)
In the opening game of the series, Corning took an early lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Teona Cruz to score Brianna Greenlaw. However, the Vikings did not falter as they tied the game up at 1-1 in the home half of the inning.
The nation's leading hitter, Angelise Montanez sparked the team's offense as she singled to centerfield and managed to advance all the way to third base following an error by the outfielder, allowing the ball to reach the wall. Following a walk by Izabelle Ratcliffe, Samantha Graham put the ball in play for a fielder's choice, allowing Montanez to score.
Hudson Valley started to pull away in the second inning, which was started by a single to left field by Reegan Mullen. Mullen was later called out at second on a fielder's choice by Lily Brennan. The next two batters, Anna Siter and Kayden Craft, both recorded RBI doubles, and the Vikings were now leading 3-1.
Brianna Greenlaw smoked a frozen rope over the left center fence for a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, however the Vikings continued to keep its distance on the dangerous Red Barons, scoring two more runs in the home half of the inning.
The game grew tense in the sixth inning as the Red Barons started to build momentum and make a run at the lead. The Vikings allowed two runs in the inning and led 6-5 when Corning's Greenlaw walked to the plate. An off-speed pitch by Moira Collins forced Greenlaw to pop up to the catcher and ended the threat.
In the sixth, Hudson Valley scored two more insurance runs when Craft singled to left field, scoring Brennan and later, Ratcliffe drove in Shutter for the team's eighth run of the game.
Mo Collins, who was just named the NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Year and First Team recipient, tossed a gem in the pitching circle. She won her 13th game of the year with a complete game, tossing 7 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits.
GAME TWO: #1 Hudson Valley 13, #4 Corning 6 (Final)
In the final game of the day, Corning made the first move again, scoring in the bottom half of the inning as the home team bats first in the second game of the series. Teona Cruz singled to right field, which allowed Matti Foster to score.
The lead did not last long as Kayden Craft singled to right field and advanced to second on an error. During the play, Lily Brenna was able to score from second base for an easy run, tying the game up at 1-1.
Corning countered in the third inning with two more runs as they were once again, led by All-Region 3 performer, Greenlaw. She singled to center, but managed to reach third base on an outfielder error. Foster scored again, giving Corning a 2-1 advantage. Greenlaw later scored on a single by Stella White.
With the Vikings trailing 3-1, Lily Brennan stepped up to the plate and delivered a single to centerfield. Craft later doubled and the Vikings had runners on second and third with one out. Next up, the MVP of the tournament, Angelise Montanez sent a laser of a hit to right-centerfield for a two-RBI triple and the Vikings were rolling again. Later in the inning Grace Harris doubled down the rightfield line with the bases loaded, which allowed Montanez and Ratcliffe to score, pushing the HVCC lead to 5-3. In the fifth, Anna Siter launched a two-run home run and Hudson Valley was now in control with a 7-3 advantage.
Corning inched closer with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Vikings offense was ready for more as they scored six more runs in the sixth and seventh innings combined. Highlighting the Vikings final two innings was a two-run home run by Harris, who sent the pitch deep to centerfield, narrowly missing the scoreboard.
Reegan Mullen earned her ninth win of the year, improving to 9-1, as she tossed five innings and allowed five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Mo Collins entered in the sixth inning and closed out the game, tossing the final two innings and gave up one run on three hits.
NJCAA Region 3A All-Tournament Team
MVP: Angelise Montanez, Hudson Valley
Lily Brennan, Hudson Valley
Anna Siter, Hudson Valley
Teona Cruz, Corning
Raegan Sudnikovich, Corning
Up Next:
The softball team has clinched a berth in the NJCAA Division 3 Softball National Championship tournament, which will be held at the Carrier Park in East Syracuse, NY beginning on Wednesday, May 21. The team will learn its fate as the NJCAA Division 3 Selection Show is set to air on the NJCAA Network on Monday, May 19th at 5 p.m. Once the seeding is announced, the Vikings will know more about who they will play and when.