Onondaga, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz split its doubleheader against Fredonia at Onondaga Community College Tuesday afternoon, winning Game 1 in walk off fashion, 8-7 before dropping Game 2, 11-9.
 
The Tuesday matchup was a makeup to conclude the two team's three-game series that was originally slated for March 21 on Loren Campbell Field but was postponed due to field conditions. The Hawks (14-12 overall, 5-6 SUNYAC) and Blue Devils (6-19, 5-7) then met halfway at OCC with SUNY New Paltz serving as the home team for both games.
 
The Hawks spotted Fredonia five runs to start Game 1 with the Blue Devils using a two-out rally to build a five-run cushion thanks to a few miscues from SUNY New Paltz. Nick Vitelli and Bryce Firkins each knocked two-out base hits, before a double from Andrew Tucker pushed the lead to 3-0 in the third. A hit-by-pitch was followed by a passed ball ensuing to bring runners to second and third before a walk loaded the bases. An error at short allowed two more to score, as SUNY New Paltz looked to climb out of the early deficit.
 
A 1-2-3 inning to start the fourth was piggy-backed with a four-run bottom half. The Hawks were the ones to put together a two-out rally in the frame, started on a ground-rule double by Garrett Grathwohl, which was followed by an RBI double from Fabian Apciella. Joe Richetti wanted his share of an extra base hit and ripped a double two batters later to plate Apicella with Scarabino continuing the trend with a two RBI double to cut the deficit to 5-4.
 
Each team added a run in the fifth with Fredonia managing an insurance run in the seventh to cap its offense in the game, taking a 7-5 lead into the eighth where SUNY New Paltz rallied. With the bases loaded, Richetti took a five-pitch walk to push Grathwohl across. Louis Kaleb then tied the game at 7-all after a fielder's choice to third scored Ryan Muskopf.
Dylan Hayes gave up a one-out triple to begin the ninth, but the junior showed his resiliency, shaking off the extra base hit and shutting down the side with a line out and pop-up to hold onto the 7-7 tie for his team to win in the bottom of the ninth.
 
Wallace Kirkpatrick got the inning going, knocking the first pitch he saw up the gut of the infield for a base hit. Christian Apicella replaced him at first and was pushed to second on a single by Grathwohl. Fabian Apicella then brought his little brother home, rifling a ball down the left field line. Christian Apicella used his speed to round the bases and make his way home for the game-winning run to cap the game with an 8-7 victory for his team.
 
Hayes earned the win after pitching the last two innings, giving up just two hits and no walks with one strikeout. Fabian Apicella was the hero, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI. Grathwohl followed, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and walk.
 
SUNY New Paltz couldn't dig itself out of a hole in Game 2, as Fredonia took another 5-0 lead by the top of the third. The Hawks cut through with their first score of the game in the bottom half thanks to another RBI single from Fabian Apicella to plate Luca Sieger. They brought the difference to one with three more in the fourth, as Sieger, Kaleb and Sarni all batted in runners with two-outs.
 
The game opened up though in an altering sixth inning, as the Blue Devils quickly loaded the bases and scored on an RBI single and then a two-RBI double to build an 8-4 lead. A wild pitch platted another run with Fredonia capping the inning on a two RBI base hit that marked its eighth straight runner reaching safely. Danny DiEdwards came in halfway through the frame and recorded the game's first out on a strikeout and forced a double play on a grounder to third to hold the score to 11-4.
 
SUNY New Paltz's offense answered immediately though, registering three consecutive base hits to load the bases and forcing the Blue Devils into a pitching change. The new arm allowed a run to score on a wild pitch before Kirkpatrick belted a two RBI double to left, which cut the lead to 11-7. Grathwohl then brought Fabian Apicella home on a sacrifice fly to help his team get within three.
 
The Hawks couldn't duplicate the Game 1 magic however, and following a run scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh, the offense stalled there resulting in the 11-9 loss.
 
Sarni batted lead-off and went 3-for-4 with a run, stolen base, RBI and a walk. Fabian Apicella went 2-for-3 with a run, RBI and two walks in the second spot in the lineup, while Grathwhohl continued his efficient day, going 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and a RBI, batting cleanup. Kaleb solidified the bottom of the order and went 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and walk.
 
Connor Catania suffered the loss as he started the game and gave up three hits, four earned runs and two walks.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns home Wednesday afternoon to host Saint Elizabeth University on Loren Campbell Field at 3:30 p.m.

******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.