CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The Hudson Valley Community College softball program played extremely well today as they completed a two-game sweep with wins over Sussex and Prairie State during their second day at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, SC.
GAME ONE: Hudson Valley 10, Sussex 3 (Final)
The Vikings started off slow as they allowed Sussex to score all three runs in the first two innings. However, Hudson Valley quickly regrouped and rallied to score eight runs to pull away from Sussex and jump ahead 8-3 at the end of the second inning. Hudson valley tallied a couple more runs, scoring one in the fourth and one in the sixth to secure their second win of the season.
The highlights of the game came in the first and second inning. In the bottom of the first and trailing 2-0, Angelise Montanez led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and advanced to third base on a single by Kayden Craft. Sussex quickly loaded the bases with another hit-by-pitch on Izabelle Ratcliffe and opened the door for Abby Taylor to drive in the game-tying two runs as she reached base on an error by the Sussex centerfielder.
Later in the first, Harris sent a pitch to third base and reached on an error. Ratcliffe and Taylor were able to score as a result of another Sussex error and the Vikings jumped ahead 4-2. To close out the five-run first inning, Anna Siter connected on a 2-1 pitch up the middle to score Harris and the Vikings never looked back as they extended its lead to 5-2.
Overall, Grace Harris led the offense as she drove in four runs on two hits, including an RBI double in the second inning. Harris also recorded an RBI with a single in the sixth inning. Siter also finished with two hits, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Taylor scored three runs and finished with two hits in four at-bats in the opening game.
Starting pitcher, Moira Collins (2-0) continued her strong start to the season as she stuck out 14 batters and allowed three runs on four hits with two walks for her second straight complete game win.
GAME TWO: Hudson Valley 8, Prairie State 1 (Final)
In the final game of the day, the Vikings handled Prairie State with ease as they produced eight runs on 13 hits and did not record a defensive error for the second straight game, which played a big role in both of their wins this afternoon.
Hudson Valley had eight individuals score one run and eight individuals record at least one hit with four Vikings closing out the day with multiple hits against Prairie State. Leading the offense was Grace Harris, who finished the day with three hits and drove in two runs. Abby Taylor, Anna Siter and Nadia Hotaling all finished with two hits each.
In the pitching circle, Reegan Mullen won her first game of her career as she rebounded nicely from yesterday's start. She closed out the day tossing five innings and allowed zero runs on two hits, while striking out four and walked two batters. Anna Siter entered the game in relief and pitched the final two innings. Siter allowed one run on two hits as she secured the Vikings third win on the season.
ON DECK:
Up next for the softball team is day three of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic as they will compete against Delaware Tech at 3 PM on Field 5 and they will end the day with a matchup against Moraine Valley at 5 PM, also on Field 5.
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.