PLATTSBURGH, NY — The Hawks earned a split in today’s doubleheader against, conference rival, Plattsburgh. SUNY New Paltz collected a 2-1, six-inning, win in the second game after falling to the Cardinals 13-3 in the opener.
SUNY New Paltz (12-9, 1-1) followed sophomore pitcher Jimmy Donohue (Deer Park, NY) to a 2-1 victory in game two. Donohue allowed two hits and a run while walking seven and striking out three in six innings of work. He picked up his third win of the season to improve to 3-1 on the year.
Offensively, five Hawks collected a hit to propel the squad to their 12th win of the year. Senior outfielders, Jeff Cote’ (Mechanicsville, MD) and Bill Kelts (Waterford, NY) both recorded a RBI to help the Hawks steal the 2-1 triumph. Senior catcher Josh Gutes (Hauppauge, NY), senior first baseman Dean Glanzman (Commack, NY) and junior shortstop Daniel Garcia (Patterson, NY) each had a hit for SUNY New Paltz. Plattsburgh (9-6, 1-1) scored first in the affair on a RBI double from sophomore first baseman Todd Hughes (Malone, NY).
Cote’ and junior outfielder Justin Buonamano (Royersford, PA) each recorded two doubles in the first game to give SUNY New Paltz a 3-1 lead after their half of the second inning. The Cardinals, however, tallied six runs in the bottom of the second to post a 7-3 lead, they would add six more runs late to get the 13-3 victory. Buonamano knocked in two and Kelts plated the other to get the Hawks off to a quick start. Gutes and Glanzman each had a hit for SUNY New Paltz.
Sophomore pitcher Jeff Stith (Selden, NY) struggled out of gate. He allowed six runs in the first five outs, picking up his first loss of 2006. Senior pitcher Dan Hoffman (Commack, NY) went the distance for Plattsburgh, allowing seven hits, three runs, two earned, while walking three and striking out three in the nine inning contest.
The SUNY New Paltz baseball team will host Oneonta in a 12:00 pm conference doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, April 2. Oneonta will be the Hawks’ second regionally ranked, conference, opponent this weekend. The Red Dragons are currently ranked #7 in New York State, according to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III Poll. The sixth ranked Hawks hope to better their position after splitting today’s doubleheader with fifth ranked Plattsburgh.
