New Paltz, NY — After an 11-game road stand, the State University of New York New Paltz was back on Loren Campbell Field Wednesday afternoon hosting Saint Elizabeth University.
 
The Hawks (14-12 overall) had a team effort in defeating the Eagles (3-21), needing just seven innings to collect a 12-2 victory.
 
Saint Elizabeth took the initial lead to start the outing, but SUNY New Paltz answered in the bottom of the first. Joe Scarabino got the offense started on a base hit with Robert Gregory earning a walk following a full count. Tommy Benfer then cleared the bases on a triple before Johnny McHugh registered his first career home run, lifting a ball over the right field fence to bring the lead to 4-0.
 
The Hawks created an eight-run cushion in the bottom of the fifth started on a leadoff single by Scarabino that was followed by an RBI double by Gregory. McHugh plated Gregory two batters later before Harry Baliber brought the cushion to 10-2 on an RBI base hit. Jagger Duque capped the inning, scoring on a base hit from Andrew Asaro.
 
Christian Apicella and Ryan Muskopf officially brought the game to an end in the seventh, knocking back-to-back two-out doubles with the latter scoring the former to end the game on a run-ruled, 12-2 victory.
 
SUNY New Paltz produced 14 hits, including seven extra base hits with 17 different players appearing in the victory.

McHugh led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with two runs, three RBI, a stolen base and a walk. Benfer followed, finishing 2-for-3 including two triples, two runs, three RBI and one walk. Scarabino went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, while Christian Apicella hit 2-for-3 with a run, stolen base, walk and RBI. Harry Baliber also had a two-hit game, going 2-for-4 including a double, a run scored and an RBI to aid in the blowout victory.
 
Tyler Lopez earned the start and threw two innings, yielding four hits, two earned runs a walk with three strikeouts. Dylan Thomasson came in for relief and tossed three innings, not allowing a hit or walk with three strikeouts and tallied his first win of the season. Liam Ryan and Dalton Rutt each pitched an inning with both recording a strikeout.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns to the road, playing in a three-game series against SUNYAC foe Canton. The Hawks and Kangaroos will begin the matchup with a doubleheader Saturday at Lowville High School starting at 2 p.m. and will conclude with a single, nine-inning game Sunday back at Lowville High at 1 p.m.
 

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