FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh State baseball team earned a split of a non-conference doubleheader against Farmingdale State College on Sunday afternoon at the Farmingdale State Baseball Stadium. Plattsburgh State dropped the first game, 5-0, before rebounding to win the second game, 9-6, for its first win of the season.
Plattsburgh State (1-4) next takes the field in Auburndale, Fla., when the Cardinals begin the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational with a non-conference game against Utica College at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Farmingdale State (3-1) hosts William Paterson University for a non-conference game on Wednesday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.
Game 1: Farmingdale State 5, Plattsburgh State 0
Junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Triola (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) tossed a six-inning complete game, but Plattsburgh State dropped game one against Farmingdale State, 5-0.
The Cardinals had opportunities to score throughout the game, but were unable to capitalize as they stranded nine runners on base. One of the Cardinals' best scoring opportunities came in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs, but were unable to score.
Triola (0-2) allowed 10 hits over his six innings pitched, but he limited the Rams to one extra-base hit and only one of the five runs he allowed was earned as the Rams capitalized on Plattsburgh State defensive miscues. Triola recorded two strikeouts and three walks.
The Rams scored four runs (three unearned) in the second inning and one unearned run in the third inning.
In the second inning, Steven Burke had an RBI single to make the score 1-0. With two outs in the inning Michael Iacobellis would reach on a throwing error that allowed two more runs to come home and make the score 3-0. Michael Amandola then increased the Ram's lead to 4-0 with an RBI single.
Farmingdale State extended its lead to 5-0 when Ryan DePalma scored as part of a double steal in the third inning.
In the top of the fourth inning, Plattsburgh State's sophomore catcher Jake Hutton (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the fifth and freshman center fielder Kaden Kowalowski (Beekmantown, N.Y./Beekmantown) later singled to left field. After a sacrifice bunt, senior shortstop and team captain Stephen Bryant (Center Moriches, N.Y./Center Moriches) was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. However, the next batter grounded out to end the scoring threat and keep the score at 5-0.
Farmingdale State's Lou Puccio (1-0) started and pitched five shut-out innings. Puccio scattered five singles, while striking out three and walking one. Tyler Loft pitched two scoreless innings in relief to close out the game.
Plattsburgh State had five hits and Farmingdale State had 10.
The Cardinals committed two errors, while the Rams made one error.
Game 2: Plattsburgh State 9, Farmingdale State 6
The Cardinals used a nine-run sixth inning to erase a 5-0 deficit and complete a 9-6 come-from-behind victory to earn a doubleheader split against Farmingdale State.
After Plattsburgh State loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second inning but did not score, TJ Toscano gave Farmingdale State the lead with a two-run homer run to right field in the bottom half of the inning.
The Rams would then score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI double by Vincent Napolitano, a Michael Amandola RBI single and a Cardinal error that resulted in an unearned run.
Six outs away from being swept, Plattsburgh State's offense erupted for nine runs in the sixth inning to give the Cardinals a 9-5 lead. The Cardinals had three consecutive singles to start the inning. The next two batters were hit by a pitch followed by a walk to cut the Cardinals' deficit to 5-3. Then sophomore catcher Jake Hutton (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) garnered an RBI single to left field to make the score 5-4. The Cardinals tied the game on a wild pitch and took a 6-5 lead on an RBI single to third base by freshman center fielder Kaden Kowalowski (Beekmantown, N.Y./Beekmantown). With the bases loaded and two outs, freshman second baseman Christian Ott (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) cleared the bases with a double to right-center field to increase the Cardinals' lead to 9-5.
The Rams scored a single run on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth, but the Cardinals did not allow anything else as they completed the come-from-behind victory for their first win of the season.
Ott led the way for the Cardinals after going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and three RBI. Kowalowski added two hits, a run scored and one RBI. Senior shortstop and team captain Stephen Bryant (Center Moriches, N.Y./Center Moriches) reached base three times on a hit and two walks and he scored two runs.
Senior right-handed pitcher Alec Fauvell (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) (1-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on eights hits over five Innings for Plattsburgh State. Fauvell struck out two and did not walk a batter. Freshman right-hander Peter Gregory (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) pitched the final two innings in relief — limiting the Rams to one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out two.
Stephen Clancy, who started for Farmingdale State, was relieved with no one out in the second inning. Clancy allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three over one inning pitched. Nicholas Rooney was charged with four earned runs on four hits over four innings pitched. Rooney struck out two and did not walk a batter, Thomas Messina (0-1) allowed two runs and did not record and out. Eddie Cosgrove also surrendered two runs without garnering an out. Christian Esperon pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out one.
Hits were even at 9-9. Plattsburgh State committed one error and Farmingdale State made three errors.
