BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo State (14-4/4-0) relied on strong pitching and timely hitting in a two-game sweep of visiting SUNYAC-rival New Paltz (4-13/0-6) today, winning 3-1 and 6-1 at Bengal Field.

In the opener, Buffalo State rode the arm of freshman pitcher Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier), who struck out nine and allowed just four hits and no earned runs. The Bengals scored one in the first and two in the fifth before allowing the Hawks to plate a single run in the seventh. Lindsey Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) led the Bengals’ offense, going 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Laurie Hutten (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) was 2 for 2 with a run scored. Liz McPartlan (Huntington/Walt Whitman) paced the New Paltz bats, going 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles. Michelle Reinke (St. James/Smithtown) took the loss on the mound, surrendering just five hits and one earned run and fanning eight.

Buffalo State’s bats came to life in the second game, belting 11 hits en route to the 6-1 win. Rachel Perucki’s (Springwater/Honeoye Central) two-run home run in the second inning gave the Bengals an early 3-0 lead and they never looked back. Hutten, Matheis, Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) and Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) all went 2 for 4 for the Bengals. Sabuda also earned the win on the mound, allowing six hits and striking out three. Amalia Ditrapani (Staten Island/Tottenville) was 1 for 3 with an RBI for New Paltz.

Buffalo State will host Oneonta tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at noon. New Paltz will visit Fredonia.