Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – After exploding for 13 runs against Colby College on Sunday, the Hawk bats became quiet, as the State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team (5-5) dropped a doubleheader to Otterbein University (2-4) at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Monday. Otterbein took game one, 5-3, before claiming the nightcap, 3-1.

Only seven innings were contested in each game.

Both teams had eight hits and no errors in the front end of the twinbill, but Otterbein's four extra-base knocks to New Paltz's one proved to be the difference.

The Cardinals plated one run in the first inning and pushed two more across in the fourth to make it a 3-0 ballgame. The Hawks made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth and tied it up in the sixth. Otterbein, however, scored in the top half of the seventh, and New Paltz was unable to plate the equalizer in the home half of the frame.

Sophomore pitcher Michael Pinnola (North Babylon, N.Y.) did not earn a decision on the mound for the Hawks, giving up three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two in six innings of work. Junior designated hitter/pitcher Jake Cameron (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of relief.

Dominic Porretta was credited with the win, working six innings while surrendering three runs on eight hits and one walk. He ended the day with five strikeouts. John LaCorte successfully closed out the game and received the save.

Cameron ignited the Hawk attack in game one, going 2-for-3 with one run scored. Sophomore catcher Matt Kaldon (Montgomery, N.Y.) went 1-for-3 and had a home run. Otterbein's offense was led by Wes Meadows, Greg Moomaw and Brett Lyzen, all of whom had two hits.

New Paltz scored the initial run of the nightcap in the first inning, but the Cardinals held the Hawks scoreless the remainder of the game and pushed across three runs of their own to complete the sweep. The Hawks had seven hits in the contest and stranded eight runners on base.

On the bump for New Paltz, freshman pitcher James McKenna (Bohemia, N.Y.) went four innings and yielded three runs off nine hits and one walk while striking out three in the losing effort, and freshman pitcher Chris Pyz (Kings Park, N.Y.) pitched two perfect innings in relief.

For the Cardinals, Moomaw tossed six full frames and did not allow an earned run. He gave up seven hits and walked two while delivering five strikeouts. Meadows picked up the save, retiring the side in the top of the seventh.

Cameron went 2-for-4, while junior third baseman Mike Marash (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) batted 2-for-3. Otterbein's attack was paced by Clayton Clever and Meadows, each of whom went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

New Paltz continues play in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic tomorrow morning, squaring off with Plymouth State College at 10 a.m. in a doubleheader.