SALISBURY, Md. – The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team (2-4) rallied for seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull off a miraculous comeback and defeat No. 6 Salisbury University (6-2), 10-9, on Sunday at SU Baseball Field.
 
Freshman second baseman Matt Dixon (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) kicked off the rally with a leadoff single. Freshman first baseman Chris Baltera (Commack, N.Y./Commack) walked as a pinch hitter, and was then pinch run for by freshman outfielder Tom Dieckhoff (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville). Senior center fielder Matt Carr (Westbury, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) stroked a double to left to score Dixon and move Dieckhoff over to third, giving the Hawks their first run of the inning.
 
Senior left fielder/relief pitcher Anthony Repetto (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) reached base by way of hit-by-pitch to load the bases for senior first baseman Thomas Pinnola (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon). Pinnola drew a walk to keep the bases loaded and bring around another run. After junior shortstop Steven Morse (East Northport, N.Y./Commack) struck out, freshman designated hitter Andrew DiNardo (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) hit an RBI single to right, keeping the bases loaded once again while chipping away at the Sea Gulls' lead.
 
Senior third baseman Matt Prescia (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) followed with a single to center, scoring Repetto from third and giving the Hawks yet another bases loaded opportunity. Senior catcher Matt Kaldon (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) followed with a high chopper to third, which bounced high enough to allow Kaldon to reach safely and another runner to touch home, cutting the deficit to just a run.
 
Batting for the second time in the inning, Dixon hit a ground ball to second base. Kaldon was thrown out at second for the second out of the inning, but a throwing error by the shortstop allowed Prescia and DiNardo to come around and score, giving the Hawks the 10-9 lead.
 
Repetto moved from right field to the mound to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. Repetto faced the minimum three batters, striking out the final hitter to pick up his first save of the season and close out the Hawks' thrilling victory.
 
Senior relief pitcher John Schmidt (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) earned the win, his first of the season, after coming in to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Kyle Hamby shouldered the loss for Salisbury after allowing two unearned runs in 1/3 of an inning in the ninth.
 
Prescia led the Hawks with his best game of the season thus far, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Carr went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base, while DiNardo went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
 
For Salisbury, second baseman Johnny Schiotis led the way, going 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Joey Jones also knocked in a pair, while shortstop Ken O'Neill went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and a run scored.
 
Senior starting pitcher Michael Pinnola (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) went just three innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one. Junior relief pitcher Chris Pyz (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) tossed four innings in relief, giving up three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
 
Salisbury starter Jeff Oster allowed three runs in 6.1 innings of work. He gave up seven hits and walked two batters while striking out two. Relievers Andre Hoover and Jon Schmedel allowed three and two runs, respectively, without recording an out in the ninth frame.
 
The Hawks return to action with a doubleheader at Purchase College on Saturday, March 9. First pitch for game one is slated for 11 a.m.