PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State baseball team split a home State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) doubleheader with SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday at Chip Cummings Field. Plattsburgh State was edged, 11-9, in game one before winning game two, 4-3, in come-from-behind fashion. In Plattsburgh State's victory, junior right-handed and left-handed pitcher David Ghiloni (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley) earned his first collegiate win.
With the split, Plattsburgh State is now 4-10 (3-7 SUNYAC) and New Paltz is 5-9 (3-9 SUNYAC) on the season.
Game 1: SUNY New Paltz 11, Plattsburgh State 9
Plattsburgh State was edged by SUNY New Paltz, 11-9, in game one.
Plattsburgh State fell behind as New Paltz scored two runs in the first inning, one run in the second inning and three runs in the third inning to make the score 6-0.
The Cardinals had opportunities early in the game, including when they loaded the bases with one out in the third inning, but were unable to score, as New Paltz's Bill Moeller worked out of trouble on the mound.
However, Plattsburgh State would break through against the New Paltz bullpen in the bottom of the sixth inning with four runs to cut the Hawks' lead to 6-4. During the rally, junior right-fielder Aaron Roman (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) had a two-run double to the left-field corner and sophomore second baseman Andrew Veit (Yaphank, N.Y./Bellport), who had two hits in the game, tallied an RBI single up the middle.
Plattsburgh State tied the game at 6-6 in the seventh inning. The first run of the inning scored on a fielder's choice by Roman that scored senior shortstop Stephen Bryant (Center Moriches/Center Moriches) from third base. The tying run came on a suicide squeeze attempt where the batter missed the bunt, the ball got away from the catcher and first-year pinch runner Alex Kornblau (Pound Ridge, N.Y./Fox Lane) slide safely into home.
New Paltz once again took the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth inning to make the score 8-6.
However, Plattsburgh State responded with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 9-8 lead. Sophomore first baseman Christian Ott (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) singled down the left-field line to score senior designated hitter Steve Messerschmitt (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Carmel), who went 2-for-6 with two runs scored in the game, from second base. The Cardinals final two runs of the inning came when sophomore third baseman Conner Gonzalski (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) and Roman were each hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
New Paltz took advantage of Plattsburgh State defensive miscues to score three runs in the top of the ninth inning and put the Cardinals down, 11-9. The first run of the inning scored on a throwing error as a Plattsburgh State infielder tried to throw out a runner, who was attempting to score on a groundball, at home. New Paltz later took the lead on a two-run double to right field off the bat of center fielder Ryan Geraghty.
The Cardinals were unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth as James Trink tossed a scoreless inning to earn his first save of the season.
Junior right-hander Peter Gregory (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) started for Plattsburgh State and did not factor into the decision. Gregory was charged with six runs (one earned) on five hits and two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Senior right-handed pitcher Chase Blazak (0-4), who held the Hawks to four runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out two, was the pitcher of record for Plattsburgh State.
Moeller, who pitched four scoreless innings with three hits, two walks and four strikeouts, did not factor into the decision. Kyle Gartner (1-0) earned the victory after getting the final two outs of the eighth inning. Gartner allowed one run on one hit.
Geraghty went 3-for-6 with three RBI and one run scored for the Hawks, while right fielder Justin Ortiz went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Each team had 10 hits.
Game 2: Plattsburgh State 4, SUNY New Paltz 3
Plattsburgh State used a three-run sixth inning to earn a 4-3 come-from-behind victory. In the process, Ghiloni (1-0) earned his first career pitching win.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a run-scoring single to center field off the bat of first-year designated hitter Zachary Stone (New Spring Hill, Fla./Weeki Wachee).
However, New Paltz responded in the third inning with two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Second baseman Matt Laurelli launched a solo homer over the left-field fence and Geraghty recorded an RBI groundout.
The score remained the same until the top of the sixth inning when New Paltz scored a run on a wild pitch to increase its lead to 3-1.
Looking to avert a doubleheader sweep, the Cardinal offense came to life with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Stone – who had two hits in the game – drove in a run on a single up the middle and senior center fielder Erik Matz (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) later tallied a two-out, two-run double to left field that would prove to be the difference in the game.
The Hawks got the tying run on base with a one-out walk in the top of the seventh inning, but Veit – who started the game at second base – came in to pitch and recorded the final two outs to earn his first career save.
Senior right-hander Matt Triola (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) started for Plattsburgh State, but did not factor into the decision. Triola held the Hawks to two runs (one earned) on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings. Ghiloni earned the victory after tossing 2 2/3 innings in relief – limiting New Paltz to one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Anthony Amoroso (2-3) pitched a six-inning complete game in defeat for the Hawks. He allowed four runs (all earned) on seven hits, while walking one and striking out 10.
Plattsburgh State held a 7-6 advantage in hits.
