NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team racked up 37 runs and 39 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Polytechnic this afternoon. The Hawks defeated the Fighting Blue Jays 18-1 in the opener and won the second game 19-5.
In game one, the Hawks jumped on Polytechnic starter Michael Pellegrino (New York, NY) early with four runs in the first and three in the second to build a 7-0 lead after two innings. Sophomore third baseman John DeKams (Kings Park, NY) led a 20-hit attack with a 5-for-5, four-RBI effort. Junior catcher Josh Gutes (Hauppague, NY) was 4-for-5 at the plate and knocked in three. The Hawks 20-hit performance in game one marked the third time this season that SUNY New Paltz has had 20 or more hits in a game.
Freshman Jeff Stith (Selden, NY) won his second consecutive start for SUNY New Paltz. Stith scattered five hits, gave up an unearned run and struck out 11 to raise his record to 2-0.
In the second game, the Hawks (5-9) once again jumped on Polytechic early and led 3-0 after two. In the third, three SUNY New Paltz errors led to a five-run inning for the Blue Jays and Polytechnic (0-10) moved ahead 5-3. In the bottom of the third, sophomore right fielder George Perry (Port Jervis, NY) had a two-run single to cap a six-run inning that put the Hawks back in front, 9-5. SUNY New Paltz then exploded for nine in fourth to bust the game open. Junior first baseman Dean Glanzman (Commack, NY) led the way with three doubles and three runs batted in a 4-for-4 effort. Perry was 2-for-5 with three runs batted in and Stith, as the designated hitter, was 3-for-5 with two runs batted.
Freshman Michael Virga (Farmingville, NY) started and pitched three innings. He allowed three hits, one earned run and struck out two. Sophomore Justin Buonamano (Royersford, PA) pitched the final four innings and picked up the win. Buonamano pitched four perfect innings and struck out four.
