ITHACA, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz baseball team (3-8, 0-1 SUNYAC) dropped its first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) contest of the season to No. 3 SUNY Cortland (11-4, 1-0 SUNYAC), 8-1, on Saturday at neutral-site Cornell University.
 
Saturday's matchup was tied at one after five full innings, but the Red Dragons rallied to put up seven runs in the sixth and seventh frames to eventually claim the 8-1 victory. Starting pitcher Brandon McClain tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on seven hits to earn the win for Cortland. Junior starting pitcher Andrew Grann (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) shouldered the loss for the Hawks, scattering eight runs on seven hits while striking out four.
 
The Red Dragons got on the board first on center fielder Zack Graczyk's RBI double in the top of the third. The Hawks found themselves in position to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Senior third baseman Matt Prescia (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) led off with a single to left, and then advanced to third on junior shortstop Steven Morse's (East Northport, N.Y./Commack) one-out groundout to second. Junior second baseman Kenny Gentile (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) then brought Prescia around to score on an RBI single to right to tie the game. Two more singles loaded the bases for the Hawks, but senior left fielder Anthony Repetto (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) flew out to center to end the Hawk threat.
 
Cortland broke the game open in the top of the sixth when first baseman Max Rosing singled to left with the bases loaded to bring around two runs and give Cortland the lead. Right fielder Chris Jackson followed with another single to plate another Red Dragon run and give Cortland a 4-1 advantage.
 
The top of the seventh was no better for the Hawks, as the Red Dragons found themselves with the bases full once again. Designated hitter P.J. Rinaldi took full advantage and stroked a two-out grand slam to up the lead to seven runs.
 
Rinaldi's four RBI were a game high. He went 1-for-3 on the afternoon, while Rosing added two RBI on a 1-for-4 effort from the dish for the Red Dragons.
 
Gentile went 2-for-4 for the Hawks, knocking in the team's only run. Senior center fielder Matt Carr (Westbury, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) also went 2-for-4, while Prescia scored the lone run for New Paltz.
 
Junior relief pitcher Mike Pastorino (Stormville, N.Y./John Jay) tossed a scoreless inning in relief, striking out two Red Dragon batters. Making his first appearance of the season, freshman relief pitcher Christian Huertas (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) did not allow a hit in a clean ninth inning.
 
New Paltz and Cortland face off again tomorrow, March 24, with a doubleheader at Cornell. New Paltz will act as the home team once again for both games. First pitch for game one is slated for 11 a.m.