PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State softball team wrapped up its home schedule on Wednesday afternoon, falling to Saint Michael's in a non-conference doubleheader at Cardinal Park.
The Purple Knights claimed game one by a 9-0 score before rallying late to take game two, 7-4, to complete the sweep.
In the opener, Saint Michael's wasted no time seizing control, plating two runs in the first inning on a pair of RBI doubles to jump out to an early lead. The visitors added another run in the second to make it 3-0 before breaking the game open in the fourth inning.
A four-run fourth inning extended the Purple Knights' advantage to 7-0, highlighted by a two-run single down the left field line along with additional runs coming on a fielder's choice and a stolen base. Saint Michael's added two more runs in the fifth inning on an RBI groundout and a run-scoring double to secure the 9-0 victory.
In game two, Saint Michael's again struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening inning on a sacrifice fly. The Purple Knights doubled their advantage in the third inning on an inside-the-park home run.
The Cardinals responded in the bottom half of the third, as Gwen Noll (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1. Plattsburgh continued to build momentum in the fourth inning, tying the game on an RBI single by Bella DeLorenzo (Troy, N.Y./Tamarac) before taking a 3-2 lead later in the frame when a throwing error allowed another run to score.
After Saint Michael's evened the score at 3-3 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, the Cardinals regained the lead in the sixth inning. Megan Pillus (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) came through with an RBI single to center field, putting Plattsburgh back in front, 4-3, heading into the final inning.
However, the Purple Knights rallied in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs to reclaim control. A two-run single gave Saint Michael's the lead before a two-run double extended the advantage to 7-4.
Plattsburgh was unable to respond in the bottom half, as Saint Michael's completed the doubleheader sweep.
With the sweep, the Cardinals fall to 13-18 overall and will return to action Friday as they open a pivotal conference finale weekend, beginning with Fredonia.
