Union, NJ — The State University of New York New Paltz couldn't overcome a 7-0 hole to start the game against hosting Kean Saturday morning and ultimately suffered a 9-5 loss to drop the Hawks to 4-4 on the year.
 
SUNY New Paltz had its ace Mike Weed (0-2) on the mound and the junior worked through a tough outing as he threw three innings and conceded nine hits, five earned runs and three walks with two strikeouts.
 
Kean scored all its runs in the first with two outs, as an RBI single plated the lead-off batter before a two-run homer brought the lead quickly to 3-0. After giving up another double, Weed wasn't helped in the field as a dropped fly ball kept the inning alive and the Cougars pounced on the opportunity belting an RBI base hit in the following at bat. Another error, this time in the infield, plated another runner to push the score to 6-0. The frame finally ended four batters later but not until the Cougars added one more on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to fatten their cushion to 7-0.
 
Robert Gregory loaded the bases for SUNY New Paltz with a base hit to start the second, as Johnny McHugh and Tommy Poggi got on base with back-to-back one-out walks. A wild pitch scored McHugh, but the damage was limited as a strikeout and ground out stranded the bases loaded.
 
Kean tallied runs in the third and fourth innings to create an eight-run difference. The Hawks got within six with two runs in the seventh. Three walks loaded the bases for freshman Tommy Benfer who ripped an RBI base hit down the right field line to score Ryan Muskopf. Garrett Grathwohl provided a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to bring Wallace Kirkpatrick home, but the threat ended on a strikeout, stranding runners on second and third.  
Benfer and Poggi began a ninth inning rally, each with singles before advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. Grathwohl earned an RBI ground out to bring Poggi home before Joe Richetti sneaked a hit through the left side to score Benfer. Matt Sarni kept the inning alive with a base hit, but the game ended on a strikeout looking to finalize the 9-5 score.
 
Xavier Zykoff, Danny DiEdwards, McHugh and Liam Ryan all pitched innings in relief and combined to allow just two hits and three walks.
 
Benfer was the catalyst on offense, as the freshman went 3-for-3 with a run and RBI. Poggi added a hit, run scored and two walks. Sarni and Apicella each had two hits on the day, while Richetti finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.
 
SUNY New Paltz resumes play Sunday, going to Hartford, Connecticut for a neutral site doubleheader against Westfield State starting at noon.


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