NEWBURGH, NY — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team traveled to Mt. St. Mary College (MSMC) tonight and dropped a tough 9-8 decision to the Blue Knights in the bottom of the ninth. With the loss the Hawks fall to 15-22 on the season.
MSMC took an early 3-0 lead after the first and tacked on three more runs before the Hawks scored their first run in the fifth inning. Third baseman Javier Lopez hit a two run RBI double to right field to cut the lead to 6-2. New Paltz tallied a run in the sixth and seventh inning with the Blue Knights scoring a single run in the fifth and seventh for the 8-4 lead. The Hawks had a big eighth inning scoring three runs, to come within one. Justin Buonamano scored on a wild pitch, followed by a two run RBI double by George Perry. The Hawks held the Knights in the bottom of the inning and tied the game in the top of the ninth. With one out, John DeKams tripled to left center to give the Hawks hope. Alex Cadmus grounded out to the shortstop to score DeKams. MSMC started the bottom of the ninth with a walk only to be followed by a double to score the winning run.
The Hawks had registered nine hits on the night with nine different players taking credit. Jim Donohue took the loss on the mound allowing six runs on seven hits in four innings, while striking out six batters. Michael Virga came in on relief and allowed two runs on three hits in three innings, with two strikeouts. Neal Rosengren finished the game on the mound, and allowed one run, two hits and struck out one batter.
The Hawks will play their final game on Thursday at 3:30 against Vassar. Seniors Buonamano, DeKams and Perry will be honored before the game.
