NEW PALTZ — A four-hit, nine-strikeout masterpiece in the opener by junior Eric Kantner got SUNY New Paltz off to a solid start. But defensive woes and trouble throwing strikes plagued the Hawks late in game two, as New Paltz split a weather-shortened doubleheader with SUNY Utica/Rome on Monday at Campbell Field.
New Paltz won game one 3-0, but lost game two 8-4 in 6 ½ innings. The nightcap was delayed by lightning and rain after the top of the seventh and was called, without resumption, a little while later due to continued poor weather conditions – costing New Paltz its final turn at bat.
But the Hawks put themselves into a situation of needing that final half inning with three errors in a four-run Utica/Rome sixth, which turned a one-run lead into a 8-3 Wildcat advantage. Matt Forger’s run-scoring single closed the gap to 8-4 in the bottom of the sixth, but New Paltz was unable to draw any closer.
New Paltz will host SUNY Farmingdale for a 3:30 p.m. contest on Wednesday at Campbell Field.
For complete game statistics, please visit the following locations: http://hawk.newpaltz.edu/athletics/statistics/files/basestats0409200101.pdf (Game 1) http://hawk.newpaltz.edu/athletics/statistics/files/basestats0409200102.pdf (Game 2)
