New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz hosted SUNY Canton Saturday for a doubleheader to conclude its three-game series on Loren Campbell Field.
 
The Hawks improved to 11-6 overall and 3-0 in the SUNYAC after clinching the series sweep following a 12-0 and 10-2 victory. They ultimately out-hit the Roos 44-21 in the three-game series, while out-scoring them 40-2 on the weekend.
 
Michael Weed was on the bump for SUNY New Platz to start the day in Game 1 of the doubleheader. He pitched a complete game shutout, needing just seven innings of work while allowing eight hits and totaling seven strikeouts on 28 batters faced.
 
He had a slow start, looking to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first. His team backed him up though, as Joe Richetti and Anthony Pericolosi took turns on gunning guys out at the plate on back-to-back plays to get out of the inning unscathed. Wallace Kirkpatrick did well to get the tag down on both attempts behind the plate to earn two outs and hold off the Roos.
 
The Hawks answered offensively in the bottom half. Pericolosi, who came off Friday's opening game against Canton going a perfect 4-for-4, picked up where he left off as he ripped a single on the second pitch of his opening at-bat. SUNY New Paltz loaded the bases after Tommy Kreider and Michael Ascanio followed with base hits and Kirkpatrick brought in the first run home on a walk. Ty Gallagher pushed the lead to 3-0 following a two-RBI base hit and Matt Sarni capped the frame with an RBI single of his own to give SUNY New Paltz an early 4-0 cushion.
 
The offense stalled until the bottom of the fourth. Canton allowed the lead-off runner on following a miscue at first. Kreider took advantage of the free runner, as his double two batters later pushed one across to give his team a 5-0 lead before SUNY New Paltz broke the game open in the fifth.
 
 
Kirkpatrick and Joe Richetti ripped consecutive doubles to start the inning. Richetti tallied an RBI on the play and was brought home two batters later by Sarni. Pericolosi kept the rally going, plating Sarni on a base hit. Kreider and Pericolosi both crossed home on a throwing error that brought the advantage to 10-0.  
 
Richetti and Sarni provided more insurance in the sixth, as Richetti registered an RBI double which plated Kirkpatrick, while Sarni recorded an RBI on a groundout to bring Richetti home and lengthening the difference to 12-0. Weed did the rest, sitting down the side on three-straight strikeouts to close out his second win of the year.
 
Pericolosi and Kreider each had three hits, as Pericolosi finished 3-for-5 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Kreider went 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles and an RBI. Kirkpatrick finished 2-for-3 with a team-leading three runs with one RBI and a walk. Richetti added two doubles, two runs and two RBI, while Sarni registered a team-leading three RBI on two hits and one run scored with a stolen base.
 
SUNY New Paltz took an early 2-0 lead in Game 2 and held onto a 7-0 advantage entering the fifth before the Roos scored its first run of the series. The Hawks answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and added one more insurance run in the seventh before Canton tacked on a run in the ninth to solidify the 10-2 outcome.
 
 
Tyler Lopez earned the start and picked up the win after two innings, allowing no hits, no runs and just one walk with a strikeout. Sarni, Johnny McHugh and Ryan Knieriemen each made appearances on the mound, tossing two innings each with Dylan Hayes closing out the ninth. SUNY New Paltz's pitching staff allowed 10 hits and one earned run with one walk while striking out seven in nine innings pitched against the Roos in the outing.
 
Offensively, the Hawks were once again led by the top of their lineup. Pericolosi and Kreider combined for six hits, four runs and three RBI including three extra base hits. Michael Ascanio added an inside-the-park home run hitting in the three-hole, while adding two RBI and a run scored. Gallagher earned the start at catcher for SUNY New Paltz and had a clean game in the field, while added two runs scored, a double, an RBI and a walk.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday for a single game against visiting St. Joseph's University Brooklyn before returning to SUNYAC play, going on the road for a three-game series against rival SUNY Cortland starting Friday at 3 p.m.
 

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