CAMDEN, N.J. (February 28, 2025) – SUNY-New Paltz senior pitcher Sydney Waldon picked up the win in the opening game and added a save in the nightcap here Friday as the Hawks opened their season with a doubleheader sweep over Rutgers University-Camden, 9-7 and 6-3.
 
The Scarlet Raptors (0-4) return to action on March 11 with a doubleheader at Alvernia University.
   
The Hawks built a 7-0 lead through three innings and weathered a five-run Rutgers-Camden rally in the sixth inning to win their season opener. Waldon worked the first four innings and returned to close out the game in the seventh inning, allowing four hits, two earned runs and four walks over her five innings, while striking out three.
 
New Paltz scored a run in the first inning on an RBI single by junior catcher Emmie Mae Cabrera. The Hawks added four runs in the second inning on a walk, two hits and two errors, before adding a pair of runs in the third.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning after a single by senior first baseman Luci Hutchinson, a walk to sophomore third baseman Alana Gannon and a wild pitch placed two runners in scoring position. An RBI grounder by senior catcher Kendall Lafferty ended up producing two runs on an infield throwing error.
 
After the Hawks scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 9-2 game, they saw Rutgers-Camden score five times in the bottom of the frame on two hits, three walks and one error. Sophomore right fielder Kali Baker singled home one run and a pair of runs scored when the Hawks' right fielder dropped a sacrifice fly by senior left fielder Emily Dubiago. Sophomore designated player Devyn Jordan capped the inning with a two-run triple.
 
Walden reentered the game to retire the side in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Cabrera, senior center fielder Jackie Rometo and senior right fielder Sophia D'Arcangelis had two hits apiece for New Paltz. Rutgers-Camden had six players with one hit apiece, but Gannon had a fine day at the plate, drawing three walks and scoring two runs despite going 0-for-1 with a line out.
   
Moments after Rutgers-Camden tied the game at 3-3 with a three-run fifth inning, New Paltz answered with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. An error opened the frame and Rometo singled home the tie-breaking run.
 
The Hawks scored a run in the second and two in the top of the fifth inning before Rutgers-Camden tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Gannon opened the frame with a double and one out later she reached third base on a single by freshman center fielder Ryleigh Lender. A walk to junior shortstop Gianna Bauer loaded the bases. Baker plated one run with an RBI fielder's choice, then stole second base. Two runs scored on a game-tying single by Dubiago.
 
Junior left fielder Kelsey O'Brien went 3-for-4 with two doubles for New Paltz, while D'Arcangelis and freshman catcher Mallory Rohon both added two hits.
 
Following the Raptors' big inning against junior starter Alyssa Zangrilli, Waldon shut down the Raptors for the last two innings, allowing only one hit while striking out three.
 
Scarlet Raptor senior starter Lindsey Rodzon had a fine game over a split outing of six innings. She allowed seven hits, one walk and one earned run, while striking out six.
 
Jordan went 2-for-3 for the Scarlet Raptors.