SUNY New Paltz Baseball Loses to Bombers in Home Opener

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team fell to Ithaca College 17-2, this afternoon, in their 2006 home opener. With the loss the Hawks fall to 11-8, as they head toward their first weekend of State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play.

Ithaca College scored five runs on five hits in the first inning to grab an early advantage over SUNY New Paltz (11-8). The Hawks responded in the bottom of the first with a RBI single off the bat of junior third baseman John DeKams (Kings Park, NY). Following a rough start from senior pitcher Joe Gugliotta (Bayport, NY), sophomore pitcher Jason Solotaroff (Wappingers Falls, NY) calmed the Bombers bats, holding them scoreless through the third. In the top of the fourth, Ithaca College (10-3) scored seven runs to extend their lead to 12-1. The Bombers plated five runs against Solotaroff, before scoring two more against senior pitcher Ryan Schafer (Oceanside, NY). SUNY New Paltz scored their second run of the affair in the fifth when senior outfielder Bill Kelts (Waterford, NY) beat out a double play ball with the bases loaded, scoring senior catcher Josh Gutes (Hauppauge, NY).

Senior outfielder Jeff Cote’ (Mechanicsville, MD) led the Hawks with two hits on the afternoon, including a double off the top of the wall in the seventh. Gutes scored twice and led a host of Hawks who each collected a hit in the contest; DeKams, Kelts, sophomore catcher Robert Helf (Peconic, NY), sophomore third baseman Javy Lopez (Selden, NY), senior utility man George Perry (Port Jervis, NY), sophomore second baseman Doug Chaputian (Sea Cliff, NY) and senior shortstop Jeff Sosis (New Rochelle, NY).

The SUNY New Paltz baseball team will travel to Plattsburgh on Saturday, April 1, for their first conference contest of 2006. The SUNYAC doubleheader is schedule for a 12:00 pm start.