SCRANTON, P.A. -- The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team used clutch pitching down the stretch and hits from seven different players including a 3-for-3 performance from Matt McGee en route to a 4-3 victory over Scranton University on Wednesday. The win advances the Hawks to a record of 2-2 on the season. 

"We're still not totally there offensively," Hawks coach Thomas Seay said. "But we had a good batting practice yesterday, and we had some competitive at bats throughout the game. Our approach was better today. It was a good step in the right direction."

After a quiet first two innings, the Hawks got the scoring started in the top of the third inning. Mike Boccarossa got on base with a single and advanced to second on an error. McGee was the next batter, and he singled up the left side driving in Boccarossa for the game's first run.

The Royals answered right away, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the third to take a 2-1 lead. Hawks pitcher Billy Moeller gave up a two-out, two-RBI double to Chris Wagner after allowing a single and a walk. 

After no runs scored in the fourth inning, SUNY New Paltz drew even in the fifth inning. Matt Laurelli slapped a single to right field before advancing to third on a McGee single. With Dean Stalzer at the plate, Laurelli scored on a wild pitch to knot the game up at two apiece. 
 

Scott Wagner took over on the mound in the bottom of the fifth replacing Moeller who tossed four innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out two in his first start of the season. Wagner walked his first batter and later gave up a single, but he worked out of the first-and-third jam to throw a scoreless frame.

The Hawks regained the lead in the top of the sixth when Julian Francisco made a phenomenal individual effort. He singled, stole second, stole third, and advanced home after a wild pitch to put SUNY New Paltz up 3-2. 

It appeared to be smooth sailing for Wagner in the bottom of the seventh after he forced a pop up from the first batter and struck out the next. However, a double, a single, and a stolen base put Wagner into another jam. Again the sophomore was calm under pressure, and he was able to force a fly out to end the inning.

"Wags was outstanding," Seay said. "He was really locating his fastball, and he was able to force some pop ups in big situations. He's really matured over this last year, and he'll continue to be a valuable piece for us."

Looking for an insurance run in the top of the eighth, the Hawks loaded the bases after Jesse Keshner and Stalzer singled and Ryan Geraghty drew a walk. However, Nick Harvey grounded out to first base for the third out. 

Wagner got the first two outs of the bottom of the eighth, but the inning was extended on an error by Francisco on what would have been the final out. Wagner allowed a single to the next batter, ending his day at 3.2 innings pitched, zero earned runs, and one strikeout. Bobby Ramsey took over for the Hawks, and after getting ahead with a 1-2 count, he ultimately walked the batter on a wild pitch that plated the tying run. 

With the game tied at three, Laurelli got aboard with a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth. After Laurelli stole second base, Boccarossa activated the clutch factor and drove in the go-ahead run giving the Hawks a 4-3 lead.

"Boccarossa took the offseason and dedicated himself to making some swingplane adjustments," Seay said. "That has shown so far. He came through with a nice base hit to score the go ahead run. This just shows that when you prepare yourself the right way and put in the hard work, you will be rewarded."

After walking the first batter of the bottom of the ninth, Ramsey exited the game and was replaced by Justin Halper. Scranton's Kevin Johnson reached first base safely after a bunt single to put runners at first and second with nobody out for the Royals. After a strikeout and a ground out, Scranton had runners on second and third with two outs when Halper forced a ground ball that ended the game. 

"Halper just came in super confident and did a great job," Seay said. "He got some easy ground ball outs. He got it done out of pure will."

The Hawks have two days to prepare before a four-game weekend. On Saturday SUNY New Paltz will head to New Jersey to play a two-game series with Centenary, and on Sunday, the Hawks will face off against Manhattanville in a double header.