Box Score Cortland, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team's comeback against Oswego State fell short as they fell 4-2. The Hawks gave up four runs through five innings on Friday, May 4, but thunderstorms delayed the game to Saturday, May 5 and they came ready to make a rally.
 
SUNY New Paltz entered the game against the Lakers on Friday, May 4 carrying over momentum from its walk-off win against the College at Brockport earlier in the day. However, defensive mishaps hurt the defense as three of the four runs the Hawks allowed were unearned. The game was halted in the top of the sixth inning and SUNY New Paltz trailing 4-0.
 
The game picked up on Saturday, May 5 with Dwayne Page at bat with a full count, two outs, and Chris Moran at first base. The Lakers decided to throw the senior catcher a curveball, which Page easily laid off to keep the inning alive. Senior outfielder Brian Brenton stepped up next and drilled a hard ground ball at the third baseman, which was too tough to handle and SUNY New Paltz loaded the bases. Unfortunately, the Hawks weren't able to keep the early momentum going and Oswego State held the score at 4-0.
 
Junior right-handed pitcher Michael Delio started the bottom of the sixth inning in relief for Luke Christy and Delio came out on fire. Delio struck out two batters in a quick 1,2,3 inning for SUNY New Paltz.
 
Freshman third baseman John McCarrick continued his solid play at the plate with a lead-off single to center field to start the seventh inning. After a walk pitch advanced McCarrick to second base, senior center fielder Nick DePietro stepped up and delivered a clutch double right down the left field line to score McCarrick and put the Hawks on the board.
 
DePietro, the new program record holder for steals in a season, added another steal to his season total as he easily swiped third base. The move turned out to be a big move as the pitcher balked with two outs to advance DePietro to home.
 
With the lead cut to 4-2, Delio and the SUNY New Paltz defense needed to lock down the powerful Lakers offense. The Westbury, NY native picked up his third straight strikeout to start the inning, but then a walk, an error, and a hit by pitch loaded up the bases with one out for Oswego State. Delio buckled down and came up with a short fly ball to the outfield and a strikeout to keep the Lakers scoreless in the inning.
 
Needing two runs in six outs, the Hawks were unable to get a runner to first base safely and SUNY New Paltz fell by a score of 4-2.
 
"The seniors have imprinted this program forever and their efforts will not be forgotten," said head coach Arlan Freeman. "By picking up that win yesterday we have started to move the program in the right direction and I'm proud of the effort this team put forth this season."

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