CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Game of the Week is the baseball matchup between the Plattsburgh Cardinals and the Bard College Raptors on Friday, March 8. Plattsburgh fought hard for a 10-8 comeback victory after being down 6-1 in the bottom of the third thanks to a stellar pitching performance from P.J. Weeks and help from the Cardinals offense.
Bard College jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first scoring off a fielder's choice, a two-run single and a wild pitch. Plattsburgh was able to close the gap to three runs from a fielder's choice from Niko Siragusa. Siragusa would steal second, advance to third on a throwing error from Bard's catcher, and then score on a wild pitch to make the score 4-1.
After letting Plattsburgh score one run, the Raptors added three-runs in the bottom of the third to extend their lead to 7-1. During the bottom of the third, Weeks went onto the mound for Frank Finkbeiner. Weeks was able to get the Cardinals out of the inning only suffering one run.
The Cardinals' comeback started in the top of the fourth inning with a walk from Stephen Lydon who was able to score on an RBI double from Simon Alvarez. Bard was still up, 7-2. Plattsubrgh added another run in the top of the fifth inning off a throwing error by the Bard first baseman which allowed Jon Craft to score ending the fifth inning, 7-3.
In the top of the sixth Plattsburgh continued the comeback with three runs to cut the deficit to 7-6. The runs came off of an RBI single from Stephen Bryant, an RBI single from Keller Kowalowski, and a sacrifice fly from Patrick Bryant, which allowed Craft to score after walking in his at-bat.
Bard was able to add one more in the bottom of the sixth to go up 8-6.
The Cardinals got two more off a two-run single to center field from Craft in the top of the seventh. Alvarez scored after hitting a triple to center field and Jordan Godfrey walked allowing him to be the second run. The game was tied at eight going into the bottom of the seventh inning.
In the top of the eighth, Plattsburgh took their first lead of the game, 9-8, from an RBI single to right field from Bryant. Kowalowski scored after a single of his own.
Weeks would have a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth to hold Bard off going into the top of the ninth. Weeks at the end of the contest recorded five scoreless innings only allowing four hits, one run, walking two, and striking out seven.
Plattsburgh sealed the win on an RBI single from Mike Onufrak giving the Cardinals a 10-8 lead. Bard College was not be able to get the offense going in their last chance at bat in the bottom of the ninth.
Plattsburgh's dominant performance from Weeks and the spark in their offense gave them their second win of the season. The Cardinals will travel to Lexington, S.C. for three conference matchups against Oswego. The first game is on Saturday, March 16 with a double-header to follow on Sunday, March 17.
