Union, NJ — The State University of New York at New Paltz's three-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday afternoon against a stout No. 18 nationally ranked Kean Cougars team, 4-1.

The Hawks (3-3 overall) out hit Kean (9-1), 6-5 but couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position and ultimately late runs was the difference in the Cougars' win.
 
Freshman Kiran Paingankar earned his first career start for SUNY New Paltz and delivered against one of the best teams in the country. The Bellmore, NY native tossed four innings, gave up just two hits and one earned run with three walks to help the Hawks to a 1-1 tie heading into the fifth.
 
Anthony Pericolosi got the day started with a lead-off double in the top of the first and after Kean recorded two-straight strikeouts, fifth-year Dillon Ristano came through with an RBI double down the left field line to give SUNY New Paltz a 1-0 lead.
 
The Cougars answered in the bottom of the third thanks to a four-pitch, one-out walk. They got themselves into scoring position with a stolen base and after Paingankar earned his second out with a routine grounder to short, Kean snuck a base hit through the middle to bring the runner home and knot the score at ones.
Joe Richetti threatened in the fourth, knocking a single through the left side before stealing second to give the Hawks a runner in scoring position with one out. He advanced to third on a ground out on the next at-bat, but SUNY New Paltz couldn't bring him home, as Garrett Grathwohl grounded out to short on a full count to end the side.
 
Connor Catania came in for Paingankar to start the fifth. He got out of trouble following two walks, allowing the Cougars runners on second and third with two outs, but he managed a fly out to hold onto the 1-1 stalemate.
 
After two innings of work, giving up just two hits and two walks with one strikeout, Austin Barrett took over for Catania in the seventh. The freshman allowed a lead-off walk but forced the next batter in a fielder's choice for the inning's first out before forcing a ground out in the ensuing at-bat. However, Kean turned on a ball on the next play for a two-run home run that proved as the difference. Barrett closed out with a strikeout to end the inning.
 
The Hawks were given two free bases in the eighth, but after a pitching change, the Cougars strikeout back-to-back batters to hold onto the lead heading into the bottom half where they added an insurance run. Richetti gave his team some life in the top of the ninth, hitting a lead-off base hit to shallow right and eventually advanced to second on a wild pitch, but again, SUNY New Paltz couldn't get timely hitting. Grathowhl was struck out swinging and Matt Sarni flew out to end the game and strand Richetti.
 
Richetti was the only Hawk to have multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Kreider added a walk and a stolen base, while Fabian Apicella tallying a hit and a stolen base. Barrett was given the loss after one inning of work, adding a strikeout while yielding a hit, two earned runs and a walk.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Friday, going on the road to face Centary for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.


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