Hawks Split Monday’s Baseball Action

FORT PIERCE, FLA. — After winning its second straight game, 17-8 over Hamilton earlier in the day, SUNY New Paltz hit another Buena Vista roadblock, with a late rally falling just short in a 5-4 loss to the Beavers on Tuesday night at the Lawnwood Complex.

New Paltz (3-4) had previously lost to Buena Vista, 5-2, on Sunday. The Hawks are now 2-3 on their Florida trip, with three games remaining.

Sophomore Keith Roloson settled in after a rough first inning (four hits, five runs allowed) to limit the Beavers to just three hits and no runs over the final five innings in his first start of the season.

New Paltz didn’t get on the scoreboard until the final inning. Junior transfer Ernesto Sosa (Santo Domingo, DR/Columbia-Greene C.C.) drove home two runs with a one-out single to center, and the Hawks’ other two runs scored on wild pitches.

In the earlier contest, junior designated hitter John Buonamano (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and a run batted in to help the Hawks cruise past Hamilton. New Paltz outhit the Continentals in the contest, 24-13, and played errorless baseball. Freshman Benji Kaufmann (Chatham/Chatham) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing no hits while striking out three.

Crafty righthander Eric Kantner (New Hampton/Goshen) will go for his second win in three starts at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow against Grinnell at the Lawnwood Complex.

For complete game statistics, please visit the following locations: http://hawk.newpaltz.edu/athletics/statistics/files/basestats0320200101.pdf (Hamilton game) http://hawk.newpaltz.edu/athletics/statistics/files/basestats0320200102.pdf (Buena Vista game)