Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Oneonta, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team clinched the No. 3 seed in the SUNYAC tournament with a win in the second game of a double-header against SUNY Oneonta. After dropping the opening game 9-3, the Hawks bounced back with a dominant 6-1 win to secure their spot in the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. SUNY New Paltz will take on Oswego State in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday, May 3.

"We didn't play well in the opening game, but [senior captain] Jake Williams gave a speech in between games and really motivated our guys," said SUNY New Paltz coach Arlan Freeman. "I'm really proud of the guys and we owe Oswego a [butt]-kicking and we're looking forward to it."

The Hawks (16-15 overall, 9-8 SUNYAC) entered the double-header needing one win to secure their spot in the playoffs after Fredonia State dropped a game to Plattsburgh State on Friday. The Red Dragons took the momentum from the beginning of the opening game as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings.

SUNY New Paltz answered back in the top of the fourth off a two RBI single by junior shortstop Ryan Frost. However, SUNY Oneonta put the game away in the bottom half with a four-run inning to take a 9-2 lead. SUNY Oneonta needed the win to keep its playoff hopes alive and held on to pull out the 9-3 victory.

Freshman third baseman John McCarrick continued his solid play after filling in for the injured Williams on Friday and finished 2-for-4 in the game. Sophomore catcher Zach Warenius battled at the plate and drew three walks with two runs scored.

The Red Dragons struck first again in the second game and tallied one run in the bottom of the first. However, junior right-handed pitcher Justin Stybel got out of a bases loaded jam with an infield fly and a ground out to keep the game within reach.

The offense took advantage right away in the top of the second inning off a suicide squeeze by senior catcher Dwayne Page to score senior first baseman Chris Moran from third. With the game knotted up at one, Stybel started to find his rhythm on the mound and struck out four batters total between the second and third inning.

Junior designated hitter Justin Ganca got the top of the fourth going with a single through the right side on a full count. However, two quick outs for the Red Dragons put the offense in a hole. Page stepped up to the plate and drew a walk to bring up senior outfielder Brian Brenton. The Calverton, NY native had been one of the hottest bats at the end of the Hawks lineup and continued to deliver clutch hits with a single through the left side to score Ganca and give his team a 2-1 lead. 

Stybel continued his dominance on the mound with a 1-2-3 inning on five pitches, forcing two ground outs and an infield pop-up. SUNY Oneonta found its stride defensively as well and held the Hawks scoreless through the seventh inning.

In the top of the eighth McCarrick brought home two insurance runs for SUNY New Paltz with a bases loaded single through the right side. The single brought home two runs to push the advantage to 4-1 with six outs remaining. After a leadoff single in the bottom of the half, Freeman turned to senior right-handed pitcher Conor Donachie to close out the game. Donachie came up clutch for the Hawks and struck out two to close the eighth inning.

Looking for more insurance runs in the ninth inning, senior outfielder Nick DePietro got things rolling with a single to shortstop. The speedy Carmel, NY native stole second base to set up a sacrifice bunt by junior outfielder Julian Francisco. However, Francisco beat out the play and made it safely to first base. After freshman pinch hitter Dean Stalzer brought home DePietro, an error by SUNY Oneonta scored Francisco from second base and SUNY New Paltz took a 6-1 lead.

Donachie remained on the mound and came up clutch for the Hawks striking out the side. The 1-2-3 inning sealed the No. 3 seed for SUNY New Paltz in the playoffs. With the playoff bracket completely set, the game vs. Fredonia State on Sunday at Onondaga Community College has been canceled.

"Stybel pitched great after the first inning and Conor did a fantastic job coming in and closing it out," Freeman said. "John McCarrick was great. He embodied our next man up philosophy and delivered when we needed it."

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