New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz opened up SUNYAC play Thursday on Loren Campbell Memorial Field against visiting Plattsburgh for a three-game series.
 
The Hawks (6-6 overall, 0-1 SUNYAC) had trouble finding the strike zone early, as starter Jason Wall walked three of his first eight batters faced and lasted just three innings after giving up a five-run lead in the fourth. SUNY New Paltz fought back to get within five with a five-run eighth, but the offensive output wasn't enough to get back in and and turn, fell 16-11.
 
The Hawks totaled 13 hits in the game. Justin Harvey led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI including a double and a two-run home run in the fourth. Nick Harvey also homered and finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Anthony Pericolosi went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Tommy Kreider hit 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI, two walks and a stolen base.  
 
SUNY New Paltz went into the fourth trailing 7-0 but worked back to get within three in the bottom half of the inning. Michael Acanio got the inning started with a leadoff walk with Pericolosi following with a base hit, which advanced Ascanio to third. A passed ball eventually platted Ascanio before Fabian Apicella came through with a two-out single to center to score Pericolosi. Justin Harvey then capped the stretch, pulling a ball over the left field fence for a two-run shot to cut the score, 7-4, bringing life back into the home bench.
 
 
The pitching woes continued however in the fifth as the Cardinals countered with five runs in the frame to establish a 12-4 lead. Back-to-back hit-by-pitches led off the inning, followed by a single and then an error at short, which scored two. Plattsburgh then hit a three-run home run to gain the eight-run advantage before a pop-up finally ended the threat.
 
SUNY New Paltz gained back a run in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of a leadoff error that allowed Dillon Ristano on. He was moved over with back-to-back singles from Apicella and Justin Harvey before Nick Harvey drove him home on a sacrifice fly.  
Trailing 15-5 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Hawks refused to call the game short. Ristano doubled to center to lead off the inning and after Ryan Mackle was hit by a pitch, Justin Harvey followed up with an RBI double to bring Ristano home. Nick Harvey then scored Mackle in the next at-bat with an RBI base hit. Tommy Kreider kept the run going, as he took advantage of a pitching change for Plattsburgh and ripped an RBI single to right before putting himself in scoring position with a stolen base. Ascanio was hit during the ensuing at-bat and the Cardinals then went back into their bullpen to face Pericolosi.
 
The pitching change didn't deter Pericolosi, as he smacked an RBI single to left to score Nick Harvey. With the bases loaded, Christopher Sais came in to pinch hit and took a walk to bring the lead to 15-10. SUNY New Paltz couldn't add on, however, and left the bases loaded with two-straight outs to end the inning.
 
Plattsburgh scored one more in the top of the ninth following a leadoff double and Nick Harvey capped the scoring for the day as he ripped a solo home run over the right field fence to solidify the 16-11 outcome.
 
Wall was hit with the loss, dropping his season record to 2-2 on the year after tossing three innings, giving up seven hits, seven runs — five earned — with four walks and two strikeouts. The Cardinals' Kolby Morecki earned the win after six innings of work, allowing seven hits, five runs — four earned — with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
The two teams complete their three-game series Friday with a doubleheader back on Loren Campbell Memorial Field starting at 12 p.m.


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