NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — After a 1-2 opening weekend, the State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team will get back on the road and head to Pennsylvania to take on Scranton University on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
 
The Hawks enter the game averaging three runs per game, as they have struggled to get things going at the plate. Tuesday's practice was offense-oriented, and coach Thomas Seay stressed the importance of having a consistent approach with each at bat.
 
"As a team, we just need to get more comfortable and have a presence in the box," Hawks second baseman Mike Boccarossa said. "We have to compete every at bat to put pressure on the defense. We need to do a better job of jumping on fastballs earlier in counts so that opposing pitchers cannot get comfortable."  
One player who has been really solid at the plate for SUNY New Paltz so far is sophomore Jesse Keshner. Keshner has four hits in seven at bats on the year including one double. He has also driven in three runs. The sophomore leads the Hawks in batting average, hits, RBI, OPS, and SLG%.
 
"At the plate I have been looking for a good pitch to drive every at bat," Keshner said. "I have been taking solid swings and have been maintaining a strong approach."
 
Scranton enters the game with a record of 2-4. The Royals lost their first three contests of the season, but they are 2-1 over their last three games including a 6-1 win over Brockport on Sunday. Scranton scores 3.2 runs per game and allows 3.5 runs per game.
 
"Scranton is a solid team from top to bottom," Keshner said. "They have some guys that can swing the bat and guys who can pitch it well. This is going to be a great matchup for us, and we are excited to get back on the field and compete."
 
The Hawks have an 8-5 record against Scranton dating back to 1998. However, SUNY New Paltz has lost the last two matchups with the Royals which came over a decade ago in 2008. 
 
"A win against Scranton tomorrow is really important for our program heading into this weekend," Boccarossa said. "With a win tomorrow and playing with good energy, we can set ourselves up and gain confidence for a great weekend against Centenary and Manhattanville."
 
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