Poughkeepsie, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz went on the road and defeated Vassar College Wednesday, 14-6.
 
The Hawks took a two-run lead to start the first and a six-run second helped them stay in front the rest of the way to improve to 17-8 overall. Connor Catania earned the start, and the freshman right-hander captured his first win of his collegiate career after throwing four innings, allowing two hits, three runs — none earned — with two walks and one strikeout.
 
Anthony Pericolosi got the game started with a lead-off base hit in the first and was eventually brought home three batters later on a sacrifice flyout by Dillon Ristano. Wallace Kirpatrick helped bring another run across by inning's end, slapping an RBI double to center that plated Michael Ascanio.
 
Alex Ouellette tripled following a Fabian Apicella lead-off walk to begin the second inning, which allowed Apicella to score. SUNY New Paltz was able to get the next seven batters on with Pericolosi, Ascanio, Ristano and Kirkpatrick all recording an RBI before Apicella was back up at the plate for the second time in the inning where he smacked an RBI single to left, bringing home Kirkpatrick to push the Hawks advantage to 8-1 heading into the bottom half.  
After Vassar trimmed the score to 8-3 in the fourth, Ristano rocked a long fly ball to left to bring home Tommy Kreider in the sixth who reached on a lead-off walk. Matt Sarni helped offensively, as he struck a double down the third base line in the seventh to score Ryan Mackle from second base, which gave SUNY New Paltz a 10-5 lead.
 
The Brewers countered with two runs in the sixth and added one more in the bottom of the eighth, but the Hawks offense continued to roll as they added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth to hold a comfortable, eight-run lead heading into the bottom of the final frame. Jason Wall pitched the last three innings for SUNY New Paltz and allowed just four hits, one run and one walk with one strikeout and registered his second save of the year.
 
Ristano helped the Hawks offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles and three RBI. Kirkpatrick followed, going 3-for-4 with one run, two doubles and two RBI. Sarni also added two doubles, going 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Kreider registered a double, three runs scored, two walks and four stolen bases.
 
The Hawks are back in action Friday, resuming SUNYAC play for a three-game road series against Plattsburgh.


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