SUNY New Paltz Baseball Team Edges Mercy 4-3

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team collected a win today against, division II, Mercy College. The Hawks battled the Flyers in a seesaw affair and finished on top 4-3.

Junior catcher Josh Gutes (Happauge, NY) tripled with one down in the bottom of the seventh and later scored on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Jeff Cote'(Mechanicsville, MD) to put the Hawks up 4-3. Gutes then came in to relieve freshman starter Neal Rosengren (White Plains, NY) in the eighth to earn his third save of the year. Rosengren pitched seven strong innings, allowed five hits, three runs, two earned, walked two and struck out four.

Senior designated hitter Matt McDermott (Putnam Valley, NY) had a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead. An inning later, SUNY New Paltz junior designated hitter Matt Zajdel (Agwam, MA) hit his first home run of the season to tie the game at two. The Hawks added their third run in the sixth on a RBI double by sophomore third baseman John DeKams (Kings Park, NY) to move in front 3-2. Zajdel went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run batted in, Gutes went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Junior Pitcher Brad Lazano (Miami, FL) took the loss for Mercy (4-23). He pitched all eight innings, allowed 12 hits, four runs, and struck out two.

The Hawks (11-22) will complete their conference schedule this Sunday, May 1, on the road with a doubleheader at Oswego.