Softball Upsets No. 4 Joliet in Season Opener

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, March 11, 2024

The Hudson Valley Community College softball program kicked off the 2024 season with an upset 10-2 win over the nationally-ranked No. 4 Joliet before falling the second game 8-5 to Community College of Rhode Island during the team's first day at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, SC.

GAME ONE: Hudson Valley 10, #4 Joliet 2 (5 innings)

The Vikings came out swinging as they earned the upset win over the nationally-ranked Joliet program. As a team, Hudson Valley combined to score 10 runs on 11 hits and committed three defensive errors, which allowed Joliet to score a pair of runs in the fourth inning.

Leading the way for the Vikings was pitcher Moira Collins, who pitched a gem, tossing five complete innings and gave up two unearned runs on six hits and six strikeouts.

At the plate, Anna Siter delivered for the Vikings with three hits in three at-bats and a run scored. Angelise Montanez and Izabelle Ratcliffe both recorded two hits and combined to scored four runs and four RBIs. Montanez and Ratcliffe, along with Abby Taylor all recorded extra-base hits, which included a first-inning two RBI triple by Taylor to put the Vikings up early on Joliet.

GAME TWO: CC Rhode Island 8, Hudson Valley 5 (Final)

In the final game of the day, the Vikings had costly errors, which led to five unearned runs in the first four innings of the game. Hudson Valley quickly fell behind 8-0 before they were able to score all five of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to prevent an eight-run rule ending to the game.

In the fourth, Hudson Valley scored the five runs on seven hits, which was kicked off with back-to-back singles by Grace Harris and Erin Madsen. With one out, Kaitlin Neumeister singled to left field to score Harris and put the Vikings on the board. The next batter, Nadia Hotaling singled to third base and Madsen and Neumeister both scored on a Rhode Island error. A couple batters later, Kayden Craft connected for a two-RBI single, allowing Hotaling and Montanez to score. Hudson Valley's final run was a result of an RBI single to centerfield by Taylor.

Craft finished the day with three hits and one RBI to lead the way at the plate. Taylor and Hotaling each tallied two hits and combined to drive in three runs.

In the pitching circle, Reegan Mullen took the loss as she allowed 11 hits, eight runs (3 earned) and struck out five batters in her collegiate debut. Anna Siter entered the game in relief and gave up four hits in three innings, which kept the Vikings within striking distance in the final innings of a potential comeback victory.

ON DECK:

Up next for the softball team is day two of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic as they will compete against Sussex at 11 AM on Field 5 and they will end the day with a matchup against Prairie State at 3 PM on Field 2. The games are streamed for free thanks to the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation department. The games can be viewed at https://nmbpark.com/394/Park-Cameras.