2003 CUNYAC / Sprint PCS Softball Semifinals

Hunter And Lehman Gain Berths In Friday's Final
April 30th, 2003

BOX-SCORE
●Staten Island-Hunter	●Lehman-Jon Jay

Staten Island, NY - The top seed in the tournament, Hunter College and Lehman College, the third seed, advanced to the final of the 2003 CUNY Athletic Conference / Sprint PCS Championship by winning their semifinal games today at the College of Staten Island. Hunter, the defending champions, topped CSI 3-1, followed by a 14- 9 Lehman win over John Jay College in the nightcap.

In the first semifinal, the College of Staten Island (18-7) opened the game with a manufactured a run in the bottom of the first inning, when 1B Julie Lowe (Staten Island, NY) scored on a Jennifer Doscher ground out to take a 1-0 lead. But Hunter (21-11-1) starter Dara DeVincenzo (Jackson, NJ) shut down the Dolphins, yielding two hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

"We played with faith out there today,” said third-year head coach Betsy Hipple. "It wasn't unitl the sixth inning that we were able to get clutch hits and the team never lost faith. If we can play with that intensity in the championship, we'll be alright.”

The Hawks (21-11-1) finally got on the score board in the bottom of the sixth inning, getting four of their five hits in the game in the stanza when freshman shortstop Kari Porto (Staten Island, NY) plated junior 1B Jen Agosto (Brooklyn, NY) with a double to left. Sophomore catcher Samantha Grabkowitz (Bayside, NY) singled to score Porto and give the Hawks a lead. Grabkowitz scored an insurance run on a double by senior 3B Cagla Boz (Brooklyn, NY).

"This was a championship game atmosphere here today,” said Grabkowitz. "If we can continue to string our hits together at the right time in the final we stand a good chance.”

The second semifinal featured four lead changes after a scoreless first two innings. In the end Lehman (14- 9) survived to play in the final for the second time in three seasons. "The team was focused and kept their heads in the game,” said Lehman head coach Roxann Moraza. "This year was all for our seniors and the coaches are proud of them.”

Senior short stop Sakeena Esteves (Bronx, NY) had a solid defensive performance with eight put outs while providing three RBI in the 14-9 win. Senior hurler Erika Noriega (Bronx, NY) closed out the final inning retiring the three - four - five batters in order. Jaime DeSapio (Brooklyn, NY) went 2-5 with three RBI for the Bloodhounds.

The championship game will also be played at the College of Staten Island, Friday, May 2nd at 4:00 pm. Admission as always, is free.

BOX-SCORE
●Staten Island-Hunter	●Lehman-Jon Jay