Winter Haven , F.L. - The SUNY Poly Wildcats struggled offensively in their first day of action at the 2025 "THE SPRING GAMES", falling to the Curry College Colonels in game one by a score of 2-0 and the Husson University Eagles by a score of 1-0. Shelbi Hagues (4-6) and Annabella Mondello (3-6) led the Wildcats on offense. The Wildcats start their season with an 0-2 record.
GAME ONE VS CURRY COLLEGE:
The game began with Curry College loading the bases in the top of the first inning, but SUNY Poly held strong, striking out three batters to keep the scoresheet clean. In response, SUNY Poly couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the first. Curry's pitching was dominant, as they also struck out three Wildcats in a row, maintaining the 0-0 deadlock.
Curry would break through in the second inning. After a couple of errors by SUNY Poly, the Colonels would find themselves with a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the inning. The Wildcats looked to respond in the bottom of the second with a couple of singles putting runners on base. But once again, Curry's pitching came through, leaving two runners stranded.
In the fourth inning, Curry's offense couldn't muster anything, going down in order. SUNY Poly had another chance in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with one out after a single and a walk. Curry's defense would step up again, leaving three Wildcat runners on base and maintaining their 2-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, the Wildcats would have a runner on base after a walk, but would not be able to convert, leaving two runners stranded. SUNY Poly had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh, but the Warriors' defense held firm, retiring the Wildcats in order to secure a 2-0 victory.
GAME TWO VS HUSSON UNIVERSITY:
Game two started with both teams struggling to find offense. The Wildcats went down in order in the top of the first, as Husson followed suit in the bottom half, as they also went three-up, three-down with a groundout, a strikeout, and a flyout.
In the second inning, SUNY Poly had a chance to break the deadlock. Joely Welpe singled up the middle, but the next two batters were unable to bring her home. The Eagles struck first in the bottom of the second. After a leadoff single by Tori Exel, Lexi Volinsky tripled to right field, driving in Exel for the game's first run.
The Wildcats tried to make a push in the fourth inning. Kimberly Birmingham walked, and Shelbi Hagues singled to right-center to put runners on first and second. However, SUNY Poly couldn't capitalize, as Jadyn Childers struck out swinging to end the threat.
The fifth inning was similarly uneventful. The Wildcats went down without a hit, and Husson followed suit with another scoreless inning.
In the sixth inning, SUNY Poly had a glimmer of hope when Birmingham singled to the right side, but once again, the Wildcats couldn't capitalize, as Welpe grounded out to end the inning.
The Eagles would get a couple runners on base in the sixth inning, but were unable to push any more runs across. The Wildcats' would enter the top of the 7th still trailing 1-0.
The Wildcats would make solid contact in the final inning, but could not get anyone on base for a chance to tie the game, ultimately losing to the Eagles by a score of 1-0.
