PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.– The Plattsburgh State baseball team turned a game-ending double play with runners on the corners to preserve a 6-5 victory Sunday over Fredonia State in the nightcap of the teams State University of New York Athletic Conference doubleheader at Chip Cummings Field. Starting pitcher Dan Tracy (7-0) tied a Cardinals record for wins in a season. The Blue Devils, however, won the first game by an 8-7 score.
Fredonia is now 14-9 overall and 2-5 in the SUNYAC, while nationally ranked Plattsburgh (No. 18 ABCA/"RV" D3Baseball.com) stands at 22-6, 3-3.
Tracy scattered nine hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out three in seven solid innings of work. After Fredonia scored twice in the top of the ninth inning, reliever Danny Roeser got the final three outs in dramatic fashion to earn his second save. With the Cardinals clinging to a 6-5 lead and the Blue Devils threatening for more with runners at first and third base, Roeser got Josh Greco to fly out to shallow center field and pinch-hitter Brian Sheehan to ground into a double play to second base to seal the win.
Andrew Gooch led the Plattsburgh offense by going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. The Cardinals, who had leads of 2-0 and 4-2, had nine hits.
Matt LaPorte led Fredonia's 12-hitt attack with three, including a double. Josh Melquist drove in three runs with a double and triple, and Rob Herrmann contributed two doubles.
In the opener, Plattsburgh's five-run rally in the bottom of the ninth fell just shy. The Cardinals trailed 8-1 before scoring six runs on seven hits and two walks over the final two frames to make things interesting.
Donny Coolidge led the Cardinals at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and his SUNYAC-leading 14th double.Andrew Baio and Casey Brighton each had two hits, with Baio knocking in two runs and Brighton, one.
Fredonia outhit Plattsburgh 15 to 10, including LaPorte and Don Kirsch with three hits apiece.
Matt Sullivan (4-1) was the winning pitcher after allowing three hits, five walks and a run in seven innings, and Andy Dlugosz pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save.
