NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team opened up its conference schedule this afternoon against Plattsburgh State. The Cardinals took the opener 21-14 in 11 innings and then won the second game 14-2.
In game one, the two teams combined for 35 runs, 46 hits and seven errors. The Hawks scored three runs in the sixth to move in front 6-1 after six. From there, Plattsburgh rallied for three in the seventh, four in the eighth and three more in the ninth to take an 11-6 lead. In the bottom of the ninth the Hawks capitalized on two Cardinal errors and completed a five-run ninth when freshman catcher Robert Helf (Peconic, NY) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored junior outfielder Trevor Bailey (W. Hurley, NY) to even the score at 11.
In the top of the 11th, Plattsburgh took a 12-11 lead on an RBI single by junior outfielder Bill Ryan (Whitesboro, NY). Two SUNY New Paltz errors helped pave the way to a 10-run inning for Plattsburgh who moved in front 21-11. Freshman second baseman Zack Welch (Merrill, NY) went 4-for-8 with five runs batted in for Plattsburgh. Senior outfielder Matt Kahan (Levittown, NY) added four hits in seven at bats from the lead off spot.
Junior right fielder Jeff Cote’ (Mechanicsville, MD) was 4-for-7 with two RBI in the first game. Junior catcher Josh Gutes (Hauppauge, NY) was 3-for-6 with two runs batted in. Gutes pitched the final two innings and suffered the loss in his second mound appearance of the season.
In game two, senior Sean Ellott (Colonie, NY) pitched a complete game four-hitter and struck out seven to lead the Cardinals (10-3, 2-0) to the sweep. Plattsburgh scored three in the first and three more in second off Bailey to build a 6-0 lead after two.
Kahan led a 27-hit attack going 6-for-6 and scoring four times. Welch collected four more hits and drove in two while freshman first baseman Todd Hughes (Malone, NY) was 5-for-6 with five runs batted in.
Helf drove in two runs for the Hawks and junior first baseman Matt Zajdel (Agawam, MA) was 2-for-2.
