New Paltz, NY -- Desperately needing a win, the State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team found itself up 9-6 to start the ninth inning against Stevens Institute of Technology. Then, in what was a back-and-forth contest, the Ducks came back to score three runs and tie the game at nine with the Hawks coming up to bat.

Trying to avoid extra innings, senior infielder Ryan Frost led-off the bottom of the inning with a single. With one out, freshman infielder Mike Boccarossa hit an RBI double to bring Frost home and win the game in walk-off fashion, 10-9. 

"We've all been battling all season, and I just think there's a time and place for everything," Boccarossa said. "We've been struggling a little bit, and this is a huge pick me up for Brockport this weekend. We need this series, and without this win we could [have gone] down hill. We can't ride the wave. We need to come out with a lot of energy this weekend."

Stevens got on the board first, scoring a run on an RBI single in the top of the first inning. The Hawks came back in the bottom of the inning ready to score however, putting a crooked number up on an RBI double by senior outfielder Danny Campbell and an error that allowed sophomore first baseman Dean Stalzer and senior catcher and outfielder Matt McGee to score as well, going up 3-1.

The Ducks came back with two more runs in the top of the second to tie the game at three, but SUNY New Paltz kept swinging the bats with vigor, scoring two runs off home runs by junior third baseman Camilo Burgos-Bye and Campbell to take a 5-3 lead.

Once again, Stevens came back in the top of the third inning to score three more runs and take a 6-5 lead. The Hawks went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning, giving the Ducks a short amount of momentum in the matchup.

With the fourth inning going scoreless, SUNY New Paltz tied the game in the bottom of the fifth from an RBI double by senior first baseman Justin Ganca. Senior pitcher Ryan Votktpka threw two 1-2-3 innings in a row in the sixth and the seventh to push the advantage of the Hawks side, going up to the plate hungry after the seventh inning stretch.

SUNY New Paltz consistently got runners on in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs on wild pitches to take a 9-6 lead going into the last two innings. Stevens ended the game with five errors throughout.

"I think we got a really good team win today as a whole. Everyone was up and doing their job," Votypka said. "Getting this win before Brockport is huge for team morale, and before this series is really important."

Boccarossa's walk-off gives the Hawks a much needed win, snapping a six-game losing streak before their weekend State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) series with The College at Brockport.

"Well take wins however we can get them," said SUNY New Paltz coach Thomas Seay. " we're just coming to the ballpark everyday trying to play our best and compete. Hopefully we can use this win as a little bit of momentum going into Saturday's doubleheader."

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