Bizelia Drives in Four, Hawk Pitchers Strikeout 12 in Win Over Vassar

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – — The SUNY New Paltz baseball team used a four-run fifth to defeat Vassar 7-5 this morning at Prentiss Field.

With the game tied at one in the top of the fifth, New Paltz junior third baseman Rich Bizelia (Massapequa, NY) cracked a two-run single to highlight a fifth inning rally where the Hawks pushed home all four runs with two outs.

After Vassar scored three in the bottom of the fifth to cut the New Paltz lead to 5-4, Bizelia doubled home two more in the seventh to cap a 2-for-4, four RBI game and put New Paltz ahead 7-4.

Senior Keith Roloson (Westtown, NY) pitched five innings to pick to improve to 2-1. The righthander allowed eight hits and struck out five to help the Hawks (4-9) earn their first win at Vassar since 2000.

The New Paltz bullpen took over in the sixth with senior Chris Schuon (Lake Katrine, NY) pitching three and a third and striking out five. With the tying run at the plate and one out in the ninth, junior Alex Tate (New York, NY) came on and struck out the next two hitters to pick up the save.

The New Paltz pitching staff struck out 12 Vassar hitters today. The Brewers dropped to 7-4.

“We got the timely hit today and played solid defense,” said head coach Mike Juhl, whose team played errorless baseball for the first time this season. “Roloson, Schuon and Tate all pitched well and hopefully this win will set us up for a strong start to the month of April.”