Annandale-on-Hudson, NY — The Plattsburgh State Cardinals kicked off their 2026 baseball season with an impressive doubleheader sweep over Vassar College on Sunday afternoon on the campus of Bard. The sweep marked the first meeting between the two programs since the 2017 season and jump-started the Cardinals' campaign with a 2–0 record.

In the opener, Plattsburgh came ready to score early and often, bursting out of the gate with a big second inning that set the tone for the day. A bases-loaded walk from junior Luciano Fiorello (Cornwall, N.Y./Cornwall) and a two-run single by junior Michael Piccirillo (Glen Cove, N.Y./Glen Cove) keyed the rally, giving the Cardinals an early lead.

Vassar responded in the fourth with three runs to tighten the score to 4–3, but the Cardinals answered emphatically with a five-run fifth inning to seize control. Contributions from senior Bostyn Duquette (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh), junior Austin Caldwell (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), Fiorello, and others widened the gap. Plattsburgh added two more in the sixth, fueled by a run-scoring triple from Fiorello and a knock from sophomore Marc Cancelliere (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush).

On the mound, junior Jack Castillo (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) earned the win with quality innings of work, and sophomore Liam Suozzo (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) slammed the door to secure the 12–5 victory and give Plattsburgh its first win of the season.

In Game 2, the Cardinals and Brewers battled through a tense, low-scoring contest that remained scoreless through four innings. Vassar finally broke through in the fourth, but Plattsburgh responded in the fifth with a clutch, three-run inning. A double by junior Tyler Martin (New Windsor, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) produced three runs as Caldwell, Piccirillo, and Cancelliere all scored to put the Cardinals on top, 3–2.

First-year John Esposito (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) picked up the win on the mound, tossing three scoreless relief innings after starter senior Isaiah Maines (Hudson, N.Y./Hudson) worked into the middle frames. First-year Ryan Loughlin (Sound Beach, N.Y./Rocky Point) closed it out with a spotless ninth inning for the save, sealing the 3–2 victory.