PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State baseball team fell 14-5 to the Middlebury Panthers on Tuesday, falling in non-conference home action. Plattsburgh had a 3-1 lead after the first inning, but Middlebury tied the game in the third and scored ten runs from the sixth inning on to defeat the Cardinals.

Aidan Diltz (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) led the offensive charge for Plattsburgh, picking up two RBI singles on the day. Daniel Novelli (Maracy, Venezuela/Cypress Creek (Fla.)) drove in two runs as well, while Nick Cergol (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai) was 2-2 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base. Dylan Bass (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) earned the start and went four innings, striking out six batters while giving up three runs. Christian Diaz (Middletown, N.Y./Iona Prep) took the loss, working one inning and giving up four runs.

The Cardinals fall to 16-8 on the season, next playing at St. Lawrence, tomorrow, April 17 at 2 p.m. on the road. Middlebury moves to 18-8 and has a big series against Amherst this coming weekend.

The Panthers began the day with a run in the first as Mitchell Schroeder singled home Beau Root, who led the game off with a walk and stole second base.

Plattsburgh State had a prompt response, as three walks among the first four batters loaded the bases with one out, setting the table for the Cards. Diltz grounded out to second, scoring a run, and Novelli singled on the next pitch, lining a shot to center to score two runs and give Plattsburgh State a 3-1 lead.

After a scoreless second on both sides, Middlebury used a walk, a single, and a stolen base, to put two runners in scoring position with one out. A sacrifice fly and RBI groundout followed, tying the game at three runs apiece.

Neither team scored until the top of the fifth, when the Panthers utilized a Root leadoff triple, to bring in a run with an RBI groundout, taking a lead they would hold the rest of the way.

The Middlebury bullpen continued to hold the Cardinal offense at-bat through the fifth, allowing the Panthers to add on in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs on four hits. The team added three more runs on two hits in the seventh, taking a 10-3 lead.

Plattsburgh State was able to respond with a run in the seventh, as Diltz singled in a run. The Cards ended up loading the bases with one out in the frame, but the Panther reliever induced an inning-ending double play to escape the jam.

In the eighth, Middlebury sealed the win as Schroder hit a three-run shot dead center and Sammy Smith brought in another run with a sacrifice fly. The Cards were able to add a run in the eighth, as Conner Gonzlaski (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) singled home a run, but that would be it for Plattsburgh as they fell to Middlebury 14-5.4

Schroeder was 2-5 with four RBI to go along with his homer while Nathan Samii was 2-5 with four RBI as well. In a bullpen day for the Panthers, Zander Gilmartin earned his second win of the year, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings.