DELHI, NY | COBLESKILL, NY
Friday:
UMPI Softball took the field for a doubleheader against SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers on Friday afternoon but struggled to keep pace offensively as Cobleskill swept the day. The Owls showed flashes but one big inning, and missed opportunities proved costly in both contests.
Game 1: 3-0 Fighting Tigers
Game one was a pitcher's duel early, but Cobleskill broke through in the middle innings to take control. After a scoreless start, Cobleskill struck first in the 3rd inning with an RBI double from Sammy Fausti, making it 1-0. They added to the lead in the 5th, stringing together timely hits including RBI doubles from Kylie Rattigan and a run-scoring single from Avery Prievo to extend the lead to 3-0. UMPI had chances offensively, collecting four hits on the day, with Gracelyn Walsh and Megan Buchholz each recording two hits, but the Owls couldn't find the timely hit to bring runners home. Walsh also handled duties in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out three.
Game 2: 7-2 Fighting Tigers
Game two started with more promise for the Owls but unraveled in one decisive inning. Cobleskill jumped out early in the 1st, but UMPI answered back in the 3rd when Keira Greene delivered an RBI single to tie the game. The Owls then took the lead in the 4th on a sacrifice fly from Madison Boynton, making it 2-1. However, the 5th inning flipped everything. Cobleskill capitalized on defensive miscues, scoring six runs in the inning, with only one earned. Key hits from Aliyah Neeser, Laci Prignon, and Kylie Rattigan fueled the rally, turning a tight game into a 7-2 deficit. UMPI managed just four hits in the game, with Greene, Zoe Stewart, Megan Buchholz, and Michaela Carney each recording one. Despite solid stretches in the circle, Boynton was tagged with the loss, allowing just one earned run despite the seven runs scored.
Saturday:
The Owls bounced back in a big way before running into trouble late, splitting a doubleheader with the SUNY Delhi Broncos. The Owls exploded offensively in game one, but couldn't carry that momentum into the second contest, getting shutout.
Game 1: 18-0 Owls
If there was ever a statement win, this was it. The Owls came out aggressive from the first
inning and never looked back. An early wild pitch plated the first run, followed by an RBI single from Abby Doughty to make it 2-0. From there, UMPI kept applying pressure, extending the lead to 3-0 in the 2nd before completely breaking the game open in the 4th inning. That inning turned into an avalanche. The Owls poured in 11 runs in the 4th, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive miscues by Delhi. Big swings from Gracelyn Walsh, Keira Greene, Megan Buchholz, and Doughty fueled the rally, while Hailey Saylor delivered a bases-clearing moment that highlighted the inning. By the time the dust settled, UMPI had built a commanding 17-0 lead, adding one more in the 5th to cap off an 18-run performance. In the circle, Hailey Saylor was just as dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout, allowing only four hits while striking out four.
Game 2: 8-0 Broncos
Game two told a completely different story. Delhi struck first in the opening inning and steadily built their lead, taking advantage of key opportunities and defensive miscues from the Owls. Runs in the 3rd and 4th extended the lead, but it was the 6th inning that sealed it. Delhi plated four runs in the 6th, using a mix of timely hits, sacrifice plays, and wild pitches to stretch the lead to 8-0. UMPI showed some life at the plate, collecting five hits, including multi-hit efforts from Keira Greene, but couldn't string together enough offense to break through. Saylor started again in the circle and battled through over five innings, but Delhi's lineup found gaps and capitalized late.
Up Next:
After losing 3 of 4 games, the Owls drop to 13-16 on the year but have now won the most games since the 2021 season where they went 14-11. The Owls will have two midweek games against Nationally Ranked #16 Husson University for two NAC games. Those are home games beginning at 12pm on Wednesday, 4/29.
