SUNY New Paltz Baseball Lands Three on All-SUNYAC Team

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team had three players achieve all conference honors this spring. Junior outfielder Jeff Cote’ (Mechanicsville, MD), and sophomore third baseman/pitcher John DeKams (Kings Park, NY) both received first team recognition for their efforts this year. Sophomore designated hitter Justin Buonamano (Royersford, PA) garnered a position on the all-conference second team.

For Cote’, it is his second straight season on the all-conference first team. Cote’ hit .333 and led the Hawks with 14 doubles. He also tied for the team lead in runs batted in (25), and finished second in runs scored (26).

DeKams, a first-time all-conference selection, finished first for the Hawks in hits (52), was tied for first in runs batted in (25), second in batting average (.397), first in hits (52), and second in doubles (10). He also walked 13 times and carried a .451 on base percentage. On the mound, DeKams was 2-1 with a 4.14 earned run average. He worked 41.1 innings and allowed 42 hits, 19 earned runs, walked 12 and struck out 35.

Buonamano led the Hawks in runs scored (28), on base percentage (.478), and walks (23). He completed this season with a .320 batting average, up from last year’s mark of .227, and drove in 20 runs.