Newport News, VA — The State University of New York at New Paltz concluded its three-game season opening series on the road at Christopher Newport Sunday and fell, 8-4.
The Hawks (0-3 overall) faced a 3-0 deficit after the first inning but got within one in the top of the third. Freshman
Matt Sarni got the inning started with a leadoff single over the first base side. Sarni stole second two batters later to put himself in scoring position.
Jordan Rios then brought him home with a two-run home run to trim the score, 3-2.
After the Champions earned a run back in the bottom half of the third, SUNY New Paltz added on with a run in the sixth.
Fabian Apicella was the catalyst, as he knocked a double down the left field line to start the inning.
Alex Oulette moved him over to third on a sacrifice bunt and
Chris Thorne platted Apicella across on an RBI single through the middle to create another one-point game.
Christopher Newport won the game in the seventh after putting three more runs across. SUNY New Paltz earned back a run in the top of the eighth thanks to an RBI single by Sarni that brought Oulette home after he led off with a single to left center. The offense was stopped there, and the Champions took the four-run win.
Despite the loss, the Hawks had their best offensive out-put of the season with a season-high 12 hits, limiting Christopher Newport to seven. Sarni had a day, going 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI and two stolen bases. Rios added two RBI and a run scored with a walk, while Apicella finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Bobby Ramsey suffered the loss after tossing three innings, giving up two hits, four earned runs and six walks.
Xavier Zykoff came into relief and threw three innings, giving up two hits and one earned run with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Hawks are back on the road next weekend, facing Elmira College, Alfred State and William Peace University at historic Durham Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina Feb. 25 and 26.
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