April 20, 2001

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Today's Matchup: Stony Brook renews its rivalry with Albany in Saturday's doubleheader. The Seawolves are competing on a brand-new field this season, and a pre-game ceremony will honor the parents, friends, alumni and dignitaries who made the field possible.

Series History: Albany leads the series 27-6 and has won the last 13 meetings. The Great Danes won 2-1 and 3-2 last year in Albany, N.Y.

Third Straight Sweep: With a sweep over Iona on Thursday afternoon, the Stony Brook softball team extended their win streak to six games and set a new school mark for most victories in a season with 16. The Seawolves defeated the Gaels 4-2 in game on and 1-0 in the nightcap.

In game one, Stony Brook (16-12) opened up a 3-0 lead after six innings. Shea Carpenter's double in the first inning scored Tricia Lipareli, and Christie McMurray's double plated Sam Foronjy. Lipareli drove home Corrine Vish in the fifth to extend the lead to 3-0. But the Gaels responded with a two-run homer in the sixth to threaten the Seawolves. But Carpenter struck again in the final inning, connecting with a base hit to score Vish.

Stephanie Poetzsch (11-5) was outstanding on the mound, giving up just three hits and striking out 13. Stony Brook managed 12 hits, as Vish, Lipareli and Carpenter each went 2-for-4, and Foronjy went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Carpenter collected two RBI.

In game two, the Seawolves managed just two hits, but McMurray's sacrifice fly in the second inning drove in Foronjy, and the 1-0 score would stand. Lindsey DeLaRosa (5-7) put forth a great effort as she allowed just three hits and struck out seven to earn the win.

Iona falls to 11-20 on the season.

Perfect 10: Stephanie Poetzsch and Lindsey DeLaRosa posted back-to-back perfect games in the Seawolves' doubleheader with Maryland-Eastern Shore last weekend.

Each pitched five perfect innings in games shortened by the NCAA eight-run rule. Poetzsch recorded nine strikeouts and allowed no runners to get on base. DeLaRosa served up a repeat performance, as no Lady Hawks were able to advance. DeLaRosa fanned three batters to earn her second shutout and second straight win.

A Poetzsch of Records: Junior Stephanie Poetzsch has made quite a mark on the Stony Brook pitching records this year. In a 2-0 win over Rider (4/5), Poetzsch recorded the first no-hitter in Seawolves history and set a new record for most strikeouts in a game with 15. She has shut out more opponents this season and throughout her two-year career than anyone else in history. In addition, the East Islip native had already set a new mark for strikeouts in a season in 2000, but against Quinnipiac (4/9), she bettered last year's total of 119 by fanning 10 batters to up her total to 127.

Since then, Poetzsch has shown no signs of slowing down. She struck out 13 against Iona (4/19) and gave up just three hits to improve to 11-5 this year. She fanned nine batters in five perfect innings against Maryland-Eastern Shore (4/14), posting her second no-hitter of the season. With her 10th win, she won more games in a season than any other pitcher in Seawolves history.

A for Improvement: It's no secret that the 2001 edition of the Seawolves is vastly improved from last year's squad. A team that recorded just four wins a year ago, this season's team opened the year on a tear, winning seven of its first 10 games. Not only that, the Seawolves have done it with largely the same team. SBU lost just one starter and four letterwinners altogether from last year's team and added two freshmen to the mix.

Centerfielder Jen Milito is one example of this year's turnaround. The junior collected just 11 hits last year, batting .186. This season, she has an average of .293 as mostly lead-off. She has 24 hits to her credit, including six doubles, a triple and the first homerun of her career.

Third baseman Tory Menchise has also shown she is not the same player from a year ago. The senior drove in just five runs last year, but this year she leads the team with 19 RBI. She has struck for 20 hits, including four doubles, a triple and a homer.

News and Notes... Tricia Lipareli needs three more hits and three more doubles to set new Stony Brook career marks in those categories.