Gutes Steals Home, Hawks Top Pioneers in Extra Innings

FORT PIERCE, FL — Tied at six with two down in the top of the ninth, senior designated hitter Josh Gutes (Hauppauge, NY) beat the ball to the plate to steal home, and the victory, for SUNY New Paltz. The Hawks’ 7-6, nine-inning, defeat of Grinnell College improves their record to 9-7. The second game of the doubleheader was canceled due to rain.

A determined SUNY New Paltz baseball team put together three singles, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh extending the first game into extra innings. Sophomore pinch hitter Neal Rosengren (White Plains, NY) singled with one down to start the rally for SUNY New Paltz. Freshman second baseman Tyler Antrim (East Haddam, CT) and junior third baseman John DeKams (Kings Park, NY) also recorded singles in the seventh to help Hawks tie the affair 6-6. After a scoreless eighth inning, Gutes stole home in the ninth for the win.

A relentless Hawks’ offense led by, DeKams and senior outfielder Bill Kelts, (Waterford, NY) has propelled SUNY New Paltz to two consecutive, one-run, victories over Grinnell College (4-3). Kelts went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI, as DeKams collected two hits in his five at-bats, scoring once and knocking in a run. Antrim scored twice to go along with his seventh inning base-hit.

Junior pitcher Greg Campo (Staten Island, NY) picked up his second win of 2006 working three innings of scoreless relief for SUNY New Paltz (9-7). Sophomore pitcher Jason Solotaroff (Wappingers Falls, NY) started the contest. Solotaroff held Grinnell College scoreless through three innings before giving up five runs in the fourth.

Sophomore pitcher Jimmy Donohue (Deer Park, NY), who was scheduled for the start in today’s second game, will take the mound in the tail end of a doubleheader against SUNY Purchase on Sunday, March 26. Sophomore pitcher Jeff Stith (Selden, NY) will get the start in the noon opener against the Panthers.