FREDONIA, N.Y. – Fredonia State swept a SUNYAC doubleheader over New Paltz, 12-4 and 6-5, to clinch a conference tournament berth for the first time since 2004.
Julie Arnold had a pair of walk-off hits as the Blue Devils improved to 21-6 overall, 9-4 in the conference. Raela Wiley (4-0) and Danielle Shelp (6-1) were the winning pitchers in relief.
The Blue Devils overcome a 4-0 first-inning deficit in the opener. They scored in the last of the first on an RBI single by Brittany Lis. An RBI double by Gabrielle Ciccarello and a throwing error resulted in two runs in the third to cut the New Paltz lead to 4-3.
Michelle Lattner delivered an RBI single to tie the game in the fourth, part of a six-run inning. A New Paltz error gave the Blue Devils the lead for good. Lauren Larson, Arnold, and Anne Wasik had RBI later in the inning. The game came to a close via the mercy rule after the Blue Devils plated three more runs in the fifth. Larson had an RBI groundout before Arnold laced a two-out, two-run single.
Bartkowiak had three hits while Lis, Arnold, and Ciccarello had two hits as part of the Blue Devils' 12-hit attack.
Wiley entered the game in the top of the first and worked the final 4 2/3 innings. She allowed no runs on five hits and no walks. In 23 innings this spring, she has yet to allow an earned run. She appeared in just one game and pitched one inning as a freshman at Westminster College before transferring to Fredonia State.
The second game was a see-saw battle with New Paltz holding leads of 2-0, 4-3, and 5-4 before the Blue Devils mounted their game-winning rally in the last of the seventh.
Lattner led off the inning and reached on an error. Larson walked. Lis dropped a sacrifice bunt and reached safely on another New Paltz error, the Hawks' 11th of the day (compared to none by the Blue Devils). With the count full, Arnold smashed a liner over the center-fielder's head.
The Blue Devils' only other lead was the result of a three-run homer by Larson in the third inning. New Paltz regained the lead in the fourth, but gave it back in the fifth with four errors around an RBI grounder by Arnold. Tina Schwartzmeyer had two hits in the game.
Shelp pitched three innings of relief to get the win. She allowed one run on four hits. Her six victories is tied for tops on the team.
It is the Blue Devils' fourth 20-win season with the 2004 team's 26-14 season the best mark in 16 seasons.
The Blue Devils are home again Saturday for a SUNYAC doubleheader against Oneonta. Scheduled game time is 1 p.m.
