Softball Splits with Onondaga at Home, Move to 9-7 on the Season

CONTACT: Julia Quinlan, j.quinlan@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7863 or (518) 530-7376
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, April 9, 2026

The Hudson Valley Community College softball team split a home doubleheader with Onondaga Community College on Thursday afternoon, dropping a heartbreaker in game one before bouncing back in dominant fashion in game two. The Vikings now sit at 9-7 overall.

Hudson Valley narrowly fell in game one, 6-5, after surrendering a late run in the top of the seventh inning. The contest was tied at five before Onondaga pushed across the go-ahead run to secure the win. Onondaga struck first with a three-run home run in the second inning, but the Vikings responded in the fifth. Kristel launched a solo home run to center, followed by another solo shot from Vinessa Bonafede. Later in the inning, Currao delivered a two-run single to give Hudson Valley a 5-3 lead. Onondaga answered in the seventh with a two-run single and an additional run scoring on a play to reclaim the lead for good. Kristel went the distance in the circle, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while striking out five. Offensively, Currao, Bonafede, Kilburn, and Kristel each recorded a hit, while Graham showed patience at the plate with three walks as the Vikings drew six total free passes.

The Vikings responded emphatically in game two, cruising to a 16-2 victory behind a standout performance from Graham. She drove in six runs on three hits, including a grand slam in the third inning, a two-run double in the second, and an RBI single in the first. Hudson Valley set the tone early, opening the scoring in the first inning when Bonafede singled home a run. The offense exploded for seven runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Stevens, Katie Pryor, Graham, Kilburn, and Currao. Graham's grand slam in the third extended the lead, and Currao added a two-run home run in the fifth to cap the scoring. The Vikings racked up 15 hits in the game, with Graham and Kristel each collecting three hits. Stevens and Currao also posted multi-hit performances in the win. Sawitzki earned the victory in the circle, tossing five innings while allowing just two runs (none earned) on four hits, with three strikeouts.

Hudson Valley will look to build on the game two momentum as they head on the road this Saturday to face Finger Lakes Community College. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. with game two to follow at 3:00 p.m.