NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team (15-14, 11-6 SUNYAC) grabbed two State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) wins with a doubleheader sweep of SUNY Plattsburgh (9-20, 4-11 SUNYAC) Saturday afternoon on Wounded Warrior Project Day at Loren Campbell Memorial Field. The Hawks won by scores of 7-0 and 3-2 in games one and two, respectively, giving them the weekend sweep of the three-game series.
 
The two victories, along with two losses by SUNY Oneonta to SUNY Cortland, clinch a spot for the Hawks in the 2013 SUNYAC Baseball Championship Tournament. This is the Hawks' first trip back to the tournament after missing the playoffs a season ago.
 
Preceding the game was a ceremony honoring our nation's veterans for their service and their sacrifices. New Paltz donned camouflage uniforms for both games to honor our troops as well. A total of $582 was raised from the doubleheader and will all go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.
 
Junior starting pitcher Andrew Grann (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) shined in game one, tossing the complete seven innings without allowing a run to pick up the win. He yielded just three hits while striking out six batters. Grann had his no-hit bid broken up in the fifth inning by left fielder Mat Chavez, who singled up the middle with one away.
 
The Hawks picked up the first runs of the game with a huge five-run third inning. With runners on the corners and one out, senior third baseman Matt Prescia (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) kicked off the scoring with an RBI infield single. Junior designated hitter David Lostaglio (Milton, N.Y./Marlboro Central) followed with a single up the middle to bring in another. Senior catcher Matt Kaldon (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) kept the rally going with a double to left center, scoring Prescia and moving Lostaglio over to third.
 
During the next at bat, Lostaglio was able to score on a wild pitch, which also advanced Kaldon to third. Junior shortstop Steven Morse (East Northport, N.Y./Commack) followed with a deep fly ball to right that Kaldon was able to score on to cap off the five-run inning.
 
The Hawks added to their lead in their last at bats of the game. With two runners on, senior left fielder Anthony Repetto (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) hit a hard groundball down the left field line that was slowed down by the third baseman, allowing two runs to cross the plate and improve the Hawk lead to 7-0.
 
Repetto went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run to lead the Hawks in the opener. Lostaglio batted 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and senior center fielder Matt Carr (Westbury, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) also went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
Plattsburgh starter Brian Burns shouldered the loss in game one, tossing five innings and allowing all seven Hawk runs.
 
Game two was a much closer affair, ending with a one-run differential as the Hawks took a 3-2 victory. New Paltz got on the board first again in the nightcap, picking up a run in the bottom of the second. Back-to-back warning-track doubles by Lostaglio and Kaldon brought in the Hawks' first run of the finale and gave them an early 1-0 advantage.
 
After a pair of scoreless innings, the Cardinals took their first lead of the weekend in the fifth. Catcher Kevin Briggs singled in left fielder Nicholas Lupo to tie the game with one away. After designated hitter Ben Weightman was thrown out trying to take home after a wild pitch, center fielder Luke Weaver singled in Briggs to leave Plattsburgh with a 2-1 lead.
 
It did not take long for the Hawks to take control once again, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. After sophomore right fielder Richard Guido (Ulster Park, N.Y./Kingston) walked to open the inning, Carr doubled to deep left center to bring him around to score and tie the game. Carr advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and was then brought around to score on Repetto's sacrifice fly to right, giving the Hawks the lead and eventually the victory.
 
Carr led the Hawks with a 3-for-4 effort in game two, knocking in a run, scoring another and swiping a bag in the process. Matt Kaldon had a solid 2-for-4 outing, picking up an RBI with a double.
 
Weaver batted 2-for-3 for the Cardinals with an RBI and a stolen base, while Briggs went 2-for-2 with the other RBI and a run scored.
 
Junior starting pitcher Chris Pyz (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) picked up the win for the Hawks, tossing seven innings and allowing just two runs. He scattered eight hits and three walks while striking out three. Plattsburgh starter Corey Grossman put in a solid effort as well, allowing three runs on eight hits across the complete eight innings.
 
With a SUNYAC Tournament berth in hand, the Hawks have four games remaining on their schedule to prepare for the playoffs. Their next matchup will take place on Tuesday, April 23, as they host William Paterson University at Loren Campbell Memorial Field. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.