NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State baseball team dropped game one of a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) doubleheader at SUNY New Paltz, 7-3, but the Cardinals rebounded to win game two, 15-4, on Saturday.

Plattsburgh State is now 1-5 (1-3 SUNYAC) on the season and New Paltz is 3-3 (1-3 SUNYAC).

Game 1: SUNY New Paltz 7, Plattsburgh State 3

Plattsburgh State lost game one to SUNY New Paltz, 7-3, as the Cardinals were unable to overcome a 6-0 deficit.

New Paltz took the lead in the first inning when left fielder Matthew McGee recorded an RBI single to make the score 1-0.  

The score remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when the Hawks scored five runs, capped off by a three-run double off the bat of shortstop Matt Laurelli, to make the score 6-0.

Plattsburgh State got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single by senior shortstop Stephen Bryant (Center Moriches/Center Moriches) that scored sophomore second baseman Andrew Veit (Yaphank, N.Y./Bellport) to make the score 6-1.

The Cardinals pulled within striking distance of the Hawks in the eighth inning when first-year first baseman Zachary Stone (New Spring Hill, Fla./Weeki Wachee) chased home sophomore third baseman Christian Ott (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) and sophomore catcher Kaden Kowalowski (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) with a two-run double to make the score 6-3.

In the bottom half of the eighth inning, McGee walked with the bases loaded to force in a run for New Paltz and make the score 7-3.

The Cardinals had a one-out single by senior center fielder Erik Matz (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) in the top of the ninth, but nothing else as the Hawks held on for the 7-3 victory in game one.

Senior right-handed starting pitcher Chase Blazak (Antrim, N.H./Bishop Guertin) tossed a season-high 7 2/3 innings on the mound for Plattsburgh State. Blazak, who is now 0-2 on the year, allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

Right-handed pitcher Bill Moeller (1-0) limited the Cardinals to three runs on four hits over eight innings as he earned the win for New Paltz. Moeller walked six batters and struck out eight.
 
Game 2: Plattsburgh State 15, New Paltz 4

Plattsburgh State's bats came alive for seven runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the seventh inning as the Cardinals earned a 15-4 win of SUNY New Paltz in game two and garnered a split of the doubleheader.

Plattsburgh State took the lead with two runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by junior right-fielder Aaron Roman (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham) and a bases-loaded walk by sophomore second baseman Conner Gonzalski (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse).

New Paltz scored one run in the second inning on a double by third baseman John McCarrick and two more runs in the third inning on a Cardinal error to put Plattsburgh State down, 3-2.

The Cardinal offense erupted for seven runs in the fourth inning to make the score 9-3 and give Plattsburgh State a lead it would not relinquish. The inning included a bases-clearing three-run double by Bryant and a two-run single by Gonzalski.

The Hawks scored their final run of the day on an RBI single by center fielder Ryan Geraghty to make the score 9-4.

Plattsburgh State would not allow New Paltz to get any closer and the Cardinals tacked on six more runs in the seventh inning to make the final score 15-4. The inning featured a two-run single by Roman and Matz added an exclamation point with a three-run homer – the first home run of his Cardinal career.

First-year left-hander Chris Santic (Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland) started on the mound for Plattsburgh State, but did not qualify for the victory. Santic allowed three runs on three hits, while walking four and striking out one, over three innings pitched.

Senior right-hander Matt Triola (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) improved to 1-0 on the season after tossing three innings in relief of Santic. Triola, who limited the Hawks to one run on three hits, recorded one walk and one strikeout.

Right-handed starting pitcher Nick Harvey (1-2) was tagged with the loss for New Paltz. Harvey allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits over three innings pitched. He recorded two walks and one strikeout.

Plattsburgh State outhit New Paltz, 18-6, in the game.