CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh State baseball team wrapped up its three-game road series against Cortland on Sunday, falling 14–10 in a back-and-forth contest after dropping Saturday's doubleheader.
The Cardinals struck first in the opening inning, jumping out to a 2–0 lead. Colin Ross (Mastic Beach, N.Y./William Floyd) delivered an early spark with a two-run double to left-center, scoring Frankie Kowal (Shrub Oak, N.Y./Lakeland) and Jackson Pam (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East).
Cortland answered immediately in the bottom half, using a three-run home run to take a 3–2 lead. The Red Dragons continued to build momentum in the second inning, plating three more runs, including a solo home run, while capitalizing on defensive miscues to extend the lead to 6–2.
Plattsburgh began to chip away in the third inning, as Kowal launched a two-run homer to left-center, cutting the deficit to 6–4. However, Cortland added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, stretching its advantage to 8–4.
The Cardinals mounted a strong comeback effort in the middle innings. In the sixth, Kowal came through again with a two-run single before a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Ross brought Plattsburgh within one at 8–7. The rally continued in the seventh inning, as RBI singles from Jonathan Beale (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) and Pam gave the Cardinals their first lead since the opening frame at 9–8.
Plattsburgh added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Ryan Hart (Portland, Ore./Jesuit) singled to right field to make it 10–8.
Cortland responded with a decisive rally in the bottom of the eighth, scoring six runs to reclaim control of the game. The Red Dragons capitalized on timely hitting and a pair of defensive errors, highlighted by a two-run double and a two-run single, to take a 14–10 lead. Plattsburgh was unable to respond in the ninth, sealing the 14–10 final.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 9-5 and will be back in action Friday, March 27, as they continue conference play on the road at Fredonia.
