Baseball Falls to Rensselaer, Gutes Gets First Career Homerun

RENSSELAER, NY — This afternoon, the Hawks fell to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) by a final of 24-6. Senior catcher Josh Gutes (Hauppauge, NY) recorded the first homerun of his collegiate career with a solo shot in the fourth inning.

The Red Hawks scored ten times in the second inning to grab an early, 11-0, lead on SUNY New Paltz (14-16). RPI (15-7) was led by junior catcher Jason Pollard (Hudson, NY) and senior outfielder Michael Passante (Highland, NY) who combined to go 8-for-11 with seven runs scored, and eight RBI. Sophomore outfielder Jeff Stith (Selden, NY) totaled two hits in the contest for SUNY New Paltz. Gutes, senior outfielder Bill Kelts (Waterford, NY) and junior designated hitter John DeKams (Kings Park, NY) each recorded a RBI.

Kelts and sophomore second baseman Tyler Antrim (East Haddam, CT) both scored on fielder’s choices in the third to put SUNY New Paltz on the board. The Hawks would score twice more in the fourth and seventh, as they scored six runs on ten hits.

DeKams got the start for SUNY New Paltz, picking up his fifth loss of the season. The Red Hawks touched DeKams for seven earned runs in only an inning and two thirds of work. Junior pitcher Brian Napier (Cohoes, NY) earned his first win of the season for RPI.

The SUNY New Paltz baseball team will host Baruch on Friday, April 14, in a 1:00 pm doubleheader.