NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam softball team (6-8, 0-6 SUNYAC) hit the road to take on SUNY New Paltz (13-6, 6-0 SUNYAC) in a doubleheader match-up Friday afternoon.

New Paltz rallied behind senior pitcher Amber Carozza's no-hitter performance to blank the Bears 15-0 in the first game of the doubleheader. Carozza sparked the Hawks in the first inning with two strikeouts. New Paltz then flexed its muscle in the batters box with four runs including a homerun by sophomore Meg Brewer to hold a 4-0 lead after one. Potsdam attempted to solve the senior pitcher but Carozza would not crack. The Hawks kept the momentum in full swing in the second inning and added five more runs to increase the deficit to 9-0. The Bears would threaten in the fourth inning as sophomore Carissa Cornwell drew a walk and advanced to third on wild pitches. However, Carozza got out of the jam with help from her defense to preserve the no-hitter through four innings. New Paltz notched one more run in the bottom of the fourth to extend their advantage to 15-0 going into the fifth inning. Potsdam could not recover as Carozza closed out the contest with three strikeouts and a no-hitter.

Brewer led the Hawks, going a perfect two for two at the plate with three RBIs and one homerun. Melissa Liotta finished three for four with three RBIs. Marissa Monaco and Chelsea Kull each went three for four and recorded two RBIs. Carozza pitched five innings with nine strikeouts and one walk.

In game two, New Paltz seemed poised to repeat their performance from the first game as the Hawks held a 2-0 advantage after the first inning. The Bears would not give up easily as freshman Jordan Sarat would step up on the mound and in the batters box. Sarat put Potsdam on the board in the second inning with a double to left center, driving in junior Molly McCuin. The freshman then notched the game at 2-2 with another double to left field bringing in McCuin yet again. New Paltz responded in the bottom of the fifth inning as Liotta singled through the left gap to reclaim the lead. Senior Heather Johnson put pressure on the Hawks in the top of the seventh with a single to right center but New Paltz denied the opportunity to earn a 3-2 decision.

Sarat finished two for three at the plate with two RBIs and two doubles. The Caledonia native totaled six innings pitched, allowing five hits and recording six strikeouts. McCuin went one for three and crossed the plate twice. Brewer allowed five hits and notched two strikeouts in three innings for the Hawks. Freshman Katie Rutcofsky concluded the contest with four strikeouts in relief of Brewer.

The Bears return to action tomorrow against Oneonta State in a doubleheader at 12 p.m and 2 p.m.