Box Score Yaphank, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team (3-0 overall) defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy (6-4) Wednesday, 19-9 at the Baseball Heaven ballpark, keeping a perfect record on the season.
 
The Hawks scored immediately in the first, as sophomore catcher Zach Warenius was walked, sending junior outfielder Julian Francisco home from third base. The Mariners came out firing as well though, scoring four runs in the first to give them an early lead. 
 
Merchant Marine Academy capitalized on an empty handed second inning for the Hawks again, picking up another score to push them ahead 5-1.
 
"We started off really sluggish," said Hawks coach Thomas Seay. "I was a little disappointed with our energy, but we capitalized on some miscues from them with the walks, and we did a good job with that and were very efficient."
 
SUNY New Paltz was resilient and turned things around at the top of the fourth, as senior first baseman Justin Ganca hit an RBI off a fielder's choice and senior outfielder Danny Campbell hit a two RBI with a single up center field.
 
The Hawks weren't done there, as junior outfielder Matthew McGee and Ganca both hit RBIs to put the Hawks on top, 8-6. Senior infielder Ryan Frost continued the scoring with a single to send Campbell and Ganca home and give SUNY New Paltz a 10-6 advantage.
 
At the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mariners scored two runs to keep the ballgame close at 10-8, but Frost singled for another RBI in the seventh and freshman Michael Boccarossa doubled to left field for two RBIs, giving the Hawks an 13-8 lead. The Hawks were on a roll and scored another four runs in the eighth inning for an 18-8 lead, as Boccarossa hit a single to left center for two RBIs.
 
Merchant Marine Academy singled to the pitcher for an RBI at the bottom of the eighth, but it wasn't enough to spur a run.
 
Hawks senior Justin Ganca doubled to left field in the ninth for his third RBI, which was the last score of the game as SUNY New Paltz won, 19-9.
 
"With 10 games in six days, opening with SUNYAC play against Fredonia, we've seen what our pitching staff can and can't do in these few games we've played," said Seay. "We know our top relievers now and answered some questions about our lineup. We're swinging it well, playing with energy and confidence. Fredonia is playing well too, we both have good offenses so whoever plays better defense will give themselves a chance to come out on top."
 
The Hawks travel to Florida for the Russmatt Invitational, starting play with Fredonia as part of a triple header on March 15th at 2 p.m.

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