Box Score New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball utilized smart base running to keep the game close with No. 7 Rowan University, but were unable to complete the comeback and fell 5-4.
"I thought we ran the bases very well," said head coach
Arlan Freeman. "
Nick DePietro manufactured a couple runs using his ability to read the ball in the dirt. The runs we scored we manufactured and I was proud of that because that's kind of the way we want to play, but the difference was we didn't get the clutch hitting."
After two hitless innings on the mound to start the game for senior right-handed pitcher
Conor Donachie, the Profs were finally able to get to the Garden City native in the top of the third. However, Donachie remained tough and was able to escape the inning without allowing extra damage by stranding a runner on base.
The Hawks answered the call in the bottom of the third and immediately closed the lead to 4-2. After sophomore left fielder
Julian Francisco walked to lead off the inning, and a failed pickoff attempt pushed him to second base, senior second baseman
Anthony Pantano came up with a big double to left center to put the first run on the board. Pantano then tagged up on a fly ball and advanced to third to allow reigning SUNYAC player of the week,
Jake Williams, to score him on a ground ball to the right side.
Another leadoff walk opened up the fourth inning for SUNY New Paltz as well. DePietro then made a great read on a pitch in the dirt to advance to second base and get in scoring position so that senior catcher
Dwayne Page could lay down a sacrifice bunt and move DePietro up one more base. Senior right fielder
Brian Brenton stepped up to the plate looking for a sacrifice fly, but his shot to left field came up short and DePietro wasn't able to tag up and score. However, DePietro remained aware on the base path and realized the left fielder for Rowan University wasn't paying attention to him so he took off for home. The move stunned the Profs defense and DePietro scored without even drawing a throw to close the gap to a 4-3 lead.
Justin Stybel and
Brian LoRusso came on in relief for Donachie and pitched a combined 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits and just one earned run.
"I was proud of the way our guys pitched out of the pen," said Freeman. "
Justin Stybel came in and gave us a chance to win and LoRusso was great as well in the final two innings."
Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, DePietro led off with a single for SUNY New Paltz and got the rally started. He continued to be aggressive on the base paths and stole second, allowing a Brenton single to score him and make it a one-run game. However, the rally ended there and the Profs were able to escape with the win.
DePietro finished the day 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Brenton also chipped in two hits with an RBI. Pantano finished with one hit, one RBI, and run scored as well as picking up a highlight play at second base.
"I thought we played well enough to win," said Freeman. "I just thought we didn't take advantage of our opportunities like we should have."
The Hawks get back on the field this weekend in a SUNYAC series against Plattsburgh State on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.
