Fredonia, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz closed out its series against Fredonia Monday, splitting a doubleheader after taking Game 1, 9-3 before falling in Game 2, 7-4.
The day was highlighted by senior Anthony Pericolosi who became the first Hawk in at least the last 80 years to hit for the cycle, as he started his afternoon going 4-for-4 with his first at-bats resulting in a double, triple, homer and single to carry the Hawks offensively. He finished the game going 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBI.
While the offense was stymied from a historic performance at the plate by Pericolosi, Michael Weed was quietly having one of his best outings of the season on the mound as he allowed just two hits through six innings, yielding just one run, which was unearned, and one walk with seven strikeouts while improving his record to 5-1 on the year. Johnny McHugh came in to close out the last three innings and allowed two hits, no earned runs while striking out three to earn his first save the year.
SUNY New Paltz was the first to get on the board, as Dillon Ristano scored Pericolosi on a sacrifice fly following Pericolosi's lead-off double. Michael Ascanio added on in the third with a solo shot with Wallace Kirkpatrick creating a 3-0 lead by inning's end after scoring on a wild pitch. Pericolosi then opened up the game in the fourth, smashing a three-run shot to score Matt Sarni and Ryan Muskopft.
An error allowed the Blue Devils to take advantage in the sixth, getting their first run across but the Hawks answered in the seventh, as Joe Richetti smacked an RBI base hit to score Ristano. Kirkpatrick capped the scoring, as he brought home Tommy Kreider on an RBI single in the eighth to help SUNY New Paltz to the eventual, 9-3 win.
Kirkpatrick followed Pericolosi offensively, going 3-for-5 with a run, a stolen base and an RBI. Ristano went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI, while Richetti finished 2-fr-4 with a stolen base, a walk and an RBI.
The Hawks couldn't match the offensive out-put in game two, as Fredonia out-hit them, 11-6 in the game. Pericolosi again helped his team get started, as he platted two with a one-out triple, scoring Richetti and McHugh who both walked. SUNY New Paltz couldn't add on, however, stranding Pericolosi at third with two consecutive outs in the ensuing at-bats.
Fredonia took the lead in the third. It started the inning with a lead off home run before a two-out double scored another. The rally continued as their next batter struck an RBI single to give the hosts at 3-2 lead, which it never relinquished the rest of the way.
The Blue Devils added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings to go up 5-2 before SUNY New Paltz answered with two in the sixth. Pericolosi's bat stayed hot, as he ripped a two-out triple to score McHugh who reached on a walk. Ascanio kept the rally alive as his base hit brought Pericolosi home, but the Hawks couldn't take advantage of the bases loaded to tie the score, as a flyout by Kirkpatrick ended the inning, stranding all three runners with the score staying at 5-4 in favor of Fredonia.
SUNY New Paltz had an opportunity to tie the game in the eighth, as the Blue Devils gifted the Hawks two free base runners as Matt Sarni got on base following an error before Pericolosi pushed him into scoring position with a walk. However, Kreider, Ascanio and Ristano were sat down in order to preserve the 5-4 lead for the Blue Devils.
The hosts then added two more for good measure in the bottom half and closed out the ninth with a double play, resulting in the 7-4 score.
Pericolosi once again provided most of the offense, finishing 2-for-3 with one run, three RBI and two walks. McHugh tallied two runs and two walks, while Ascanio had a home run and a stolen base. Richetti added a hit, run scored and walk.
Tyler Lopez was created with the loss, as he earned the start and tossed 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs and one walk with three strikeouts.
SUNY New Paltz leaves Fredonia with an overall mark of 23-12 and 11-3 in the SUNYAC. Its road stand continues into Tuesday, as it travels to face Cortland at 2 p.m. to conclude its three-game series. The two teams split its two games already played on March 28-29.