New Paltz, NY – The John Jay softball team dropped both ends of a non-conference doubleheader at New Paltz on Wednesday afternoon, falling 12–0 in five innings in the opener before suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat in a tightly contested nightcap at Mary Gray Deanne Field. The Bloodhounds move to 9-20 on the season, while the Hawks improve to 18-8.

Game 1: New Paltz 12, John Jay 0 (5 Innings)

New Paltz used a 10-run third inning to break open the opener and secure a run-rule victory. The Hawks struck first in the bottom of the opening frame, as Ava Thys led off with a double and later scored on an RBI double from Maddie Anderson. Anderson would come around to score on a sacrifice pop by Ella Sharrock, giving the hosts an early 2–0 lead. 

After two scoreless innings, New Paltz delivered the decisive blow in the third. Anderson ignited the rally with another double before Kelsey O'Brien followed with an RBI single. Mallory Rohon added a run-scoring hit, and Alex Frenza delivered a pivotal three-RBI double to extend the advantage to 7–0.

The Hawks continued to capitalize on baserunners, with Michaela Bridgwood stealing home and Sharrock capping the inning with a three-run home run to push the lead to 12–0.

John Jay was limited to just two hits in the contest, coming off the bats of Kendal Bryant and Samantha Santana. The Bloodhounds threatened briefly in the fourth, placing two runners on base, but were unable to break through.

In the circle, Lindsay Ogden (6-9) took the loss, allowing seven runs over 2.1 innings, while Adrianna Barragan provided relief.

New Paltz's Alex Frenza (9-5) earned the win, tossing a two-hit shutout while striking out six. Offensively, Anderson went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Thys added two hits and two runs. Frenza helped her own cause with three RBIs, and Sharrock drove in four, highlighted by her third-inning home run.

Game 2: New Paltz 1, John Jay 0
The nightcap turned into a classic pitchers' duel, with both teams locked in a scoreless battle through five innings before New Paltz scratched across the lone run in the sixth.

John Jay starter Lindsay Ogden delivered a strong bounce-back performance, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on nine hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out six and worked out of multiple jams, stranding runners in scoring position in the first, third, and fourth innings to keep the game scoreless.

New Paltz's Leah Gunsett (3-1) matched Ogden pitch-for-pitch, firing a complete-game shutout. She scattered four hits, struck out six, and worked around three walks to keep the Bloodhounds off the board.

John Jay threatened early, recording back-to-back singles from Kelly Fajardo and Kendal Bryant in the first inning, but New Paltz cut down a runner on the basepaths to end the frame. In the second, Samantha Santana and Sidney Bankston executed a double steal to move into scoring position, but Gunsett escaped with a key strikeout.

The Bloodhounds' best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning. Elika Rodrigues singled to open the frame, and Bryant later delivered a two-out double, but the Hawks erased the threat with a defensive play at third base to maintain the scoreless tie.

New Paltz finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Brianna Hardwick drew a leadoff walk before pinch runner Kaitlyn Gordon advanced to second on a stolen base. After a walk to Jenna Carmody and a double from Lauren Serrao put runners in scoring position, Ava Thys delivered the decisive play, reaching on a fielder's choice that allowed Carmody to score for a 1–0 lead.

John Jay mounted one final push in the seventh, as Santana worked a two-out walk, but Gunsett sealed the win with a strikeout.

Bryant led the Bloodhounds offensively in the nightcap, going 2-for-3 with a double. Fajardo and Rodrigues each added a hit, while Santana reached base twice via walks and stole a base. Bankston also contributed with a walk and a stolen base.

For New Paltz, Thys paced the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and the game-winning RBI. Carmody scored the lone run, while Serrao added a key double in the sixth inning. Anderson, O'Brien, Sharrock, and Gunsett each recorded hits in a balanced effort.

The Bloodhounds resume CUNYAC play on Friday, April 17 as they square off against Lehman at Cougar Softball Field on the campus of Kean University.

First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.