Softball Splits in Historic First Day in Myrtle Beach

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate Monday, March 14, 2022

It has been three years, 10 months and eight days since the Hudson Valley Community College softball team played a game and that streak came to an end on Monday afternoon as they traveled south to compete in the Myrtle Beach spring break softball tournament. The Vikings split the day, dropping its first game 7-3 to No. 3 ranked Herkimer and rebounded to defeat Joliet 7-4 in their second game of the day. 

Game One
Herkimer 7, Hudson Valley 3 (Final)

The Vikings opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning to jump ahead of the nationally-ranked Generals 1-0 on an RBI single from Abigayle Campbell. Herkimer countered to score three runs in the next two innings, setting up a two-run third inning for the Vikings, which tied the game up at 3-3. 

With two outs, Campbell started the rally off with a 1-0 single to right field. Back-to-back walks to Maryssa Sano and Katie Mannis loaded the bases for the Vikings. Gianna Bucciero reached base on an error by the Generals' third baseman, and Alyssa Smith followed it up with a bases-loaded walk to bring the Vikings back even with Herkimer. Campbell finished with game 2-for-4 from the plate to lead the Vikings in hits. 

In the fourth inning, the Generals pulled away from Hudson Valley for good with four runs with two outs. The Generals were helped with a back-to-back fielding errors by the Vikings, which was followed by three straight base hits to extend the lead to 7-3. 

Shealynn Peckowitz earned the start for the Vikings and allowed seven runs on eight hits over 3.2 innings. Miranda Peckentered the game in relief and threw 2.2 shutout innings. 

Game Two
Hudson Valley 7, Joliet 4 (Final) 

The Vikings rebounded nicely from the opening game loss to the nationally-ranked Generals as they went right into a game against Joliet Community College, defeating the Wolves 7-4 to close out a successful first day of competition in over three seasons. 

Although the Vikings were pushed into a corner in the third inning when Joliet scored three runs to tie up the game, the Vikings pulled away for good in the bottom half of the third inning when they scored four more runs. Following an error that allowed a run to score, Jody Rogers connected for a two-RBI single on the first pitch of the at-bat. 

Peck started the game for the Vikings and allowed four runs on four hits over two innings. Peckowitz entered the game in relief to shut down the Wolves lineup, giving up only two hits in five innings to earn her first win of the season. 

As a team, Hudson Valley tallied 12 hits in the game with Bucciero, Mannis and Gabriella Castiglione all finishing the game with a multi-hit game. Mannis and Bucciero each collected three hits to lead Hudson Valley. 

On Deck for Softball:
The Vikings will continue spring break trip tomorrow as they are scheduled for another doubleheader day. They play RCSJ-Cumberland at 9:30 a.m. and West Virginia Potomac State at 11:30 a.m.