Donohue ends career with win; Paulicelli hits first career homerun
YAPHANK, NY- The SUNY New Paltz baseball team concluded the 2009 season with a comeback behind win against Briarcliffe College, 8-6, Wednesday evening at the Suffolk County Police Athletic League Complex.
The Seahawks were led by Gabe Errmarino from the plate going 2-for-3 with two runs and one run batted in. Andrew Raschen was 2-for-5 with one run and one run batted in and six other Seahawks had a hit apiece.
Senior Tyler Terlecky (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) led the Hawks going 3-for-4 with one run scored and one run batted in and freshman Chris Paulicelli (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one run batted in.
The Hawks opened the scoring in the second inning with back-to-back walks from Tyler Terlecky and freshman Matt O’Neill (West Chester, PA/Henderson High). Junior Clinton Boettcher (Hyde Park, NY/FDR) had one of his two sacrifice bunts on the day to move Terlecky and O’Neill into scoring position. After a strikeout and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases, sophomore Michael Marash (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) had a two-run single that scored Terlecky and O’Neill for the early 2-0 advantage.
The Seahawks would tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by Sean O’Malley that scored Gabe Errmarino from first after leading the inning off with a single. Sean O’Malley advanced to third on the play after the Hawks missed the cut-off man. Tim Coglietta would get the second run a crossed with an RBI fielder’s choice.
Briarcliffe would take the lead in the sixth with three runs on four hits. Dan Rodriguez got the inning started with a one-out single and stole second and advanced to third on an error by the Hawks. He would score on the next batter Andrew Raschen RBI single. Steve Shea followed with another single and Dave Darcy RBI single scored Andrew Raschen for the 4-2 lead. Gabe Errmarino gave the Seahawks the 5-2 lead on a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Steve Shea.
The Hawks wasted no time chipping away at the lead as they took the lead back for good in the seventh with five runs. Michael Marash led the inning off with a walk followed by freshman Mike Sherlock (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) single. Freshman Paul Merola (Cornwall on-Hudson) fourth sacrifice fly of the year scored Michael Marash to cut the lead to 5-3. Tyler Terlecky brought the Hawks within one at 5-4 with his 34th RBI of the year. Clinton Boettcher tied the game with an RBI fielder’s choice that scored Chris Paulicelli. Junior Dylan Franco (Croton on-Hudson, NY/Croton Harmon) gave the Hawks the lead with a bases loaded walk and later Clinton Boettcher would score on a wild pitch by Rafael Perez to take a 7-5 lead.
The Hawks would add one more in the eight innings on Chris Paulicelli’s first career homerun over the left field fence. Head coach Matt Griffiths said “As soon as I heard it hit the bat, I knew immediately that it was gone. Chris has been hitting the ball hard all season and on that pitch he made great contact.”
The Hawks would yield a run in the bottom of the eighth a Mike Rocco RBI single up the middle that scored Gabe Errmarino.
Seahawks starting pitcher Vin Aprano pitched six innings and allowing two runs, all earned, on four hits, striking out five and walking five. Reliever Jeff Deluca took the loss on the mound allowing five runs, all earned, on four hits in one third of an inning of work.
Senior Jimmy Donohue (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) won his third game of the season on the mound allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits and striking out three in six innings of work. Sophomore Eric Holzapple (Hicksville, NY/Hicksville) picked up his first save of the year and second of his career in three innings of work and allowing one unearned run on three hits and striking out one batter.
The Hawks finish the season at 12-24 overall and 3-9 in the SUNYAC.