New Paltz, NY -- A slow start for the State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team resulted in a 7-0 loss for the Hawks in their first game of the series against Oswego State.

"The world is not on fire, we are not going to press," said SUNY New Paltz coach Thomas Seay. "We are one win away from turning things around."

Senior pitcher Justin Stybel came out in the top of the first with a 1-2-3 inning, giving the Hawks momentum heading into the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore outfielder David Juechter started the first with a walk before junior outfielder Julian Francisco singled to put two on with no outs. SUNY New Paltz couldn't capitalize however, leaving the game scoreless while leaving one on base.

After the second inning went 1-2-3 for both teams, Oswego State scored the first run of the game in the third off an RBI single. The Hawks could not come up with an answer in the bottom half, going 1-2-3 for the second consecutive inning.

With a pitchers duel brewing through the fifth between Stybel and the Lakers senior pitcher Nick DeMarco, Oswego State tacked on one in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 2-0 ballgame. SUNY New Paltz grabbed a hit in the bottom of the inning from Juechter, but could never make anything of it.

The Hawks were still in the game into the ninth, but a struggle in the top of the inning resulted in the game being broken open. The Lakers scored five runs, taking a 7-0 lead and leading in full force towards a win.

SUNY New Paltz did not have an answer in the bottom of the inning to lose the first game of the series. Stybel earned the loss, throwing seven innings while only allowing two runs on seven hits.

The Hawks will continue their series with Oswego State Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 12 p.m. To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.