CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Game of the Week comes from the baseball matchup between the Brockport Golden Eagles and the Plattsburgh Cardinals on March 30. Brockport pulled off the win, 10-9, after a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth from Tom Kretzler.
Plattsburgh put runs on the board in the top of the first after a shaky first inning from Brockport. Two runs came in from three walks, a single from Keller Kowalowski, and multiple passed balls. Stephen Bryant and Erik Matz both crossed the plate to put Plattsburgh up 2-0.
Brockport tied the game in the bottom of the first after Ryan Mansell walked in his at-bat and was sent home after Kretzler doubled to left-center. Lou Miceli singled moving Kretzler to third. Liam O'Leary hit a single to center field that allowed Kretzler to advance home and tie the game at two.
After three scoreless innings, the Cardinals tacked on two more runs to go up 4-2 in the top of the fifth. Bryant singled to left field, advanced to second on a pass ball, and stole third. Matz walked and then advanced to second. Kowalowski singled to right field scoring Bryant and Matz after he advanced to second on an error by the Plattsburgh right fielder.
The Golden Eagles again tied the score at four in the bottom of the fifth after four singles from the Brockport offense. Both Miceli and O'Leary singled to left in their at-bats. Ryan Voight as well singled to left allowing Miceli to score and Daniel DelGaizo capped off the hits with a single down the left field line sending O'Leary in to score.
In the seventh, pinch hitter Brad Nowak put Brockport up 6-4 and then shortly after Mansell extended the lead to 8-4 with a single. Plattsburgh refused to give up as they scored five runs in the ninth inning to take a 9-8 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Nicholas Pastore walked and Kretzler ended the game with a two-run homer to give the Golden Eagles a 10-9 win.
Player of the Game: Tom Kretzler hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to propel Brockport to a conference win. Kretzler finished the day 3-5 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs for the Golden Eagles.
What's Next: Brockport will travel to New Paltz on April 5 and 6 to take on the Hawks in a big conference series. The Plattsburgh Cardinals will travel to Oneonta to face the Red Dragons on April 5 and 6 as well.
