NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Junior starting pitcher Austin Spindler threw his second shutout on the season as the Golden Eagle offense backed the Buffalo, N.Y. – native completed all nine innings holding New Paltz in check as The College at Brockport baseball team picked up its 20th win of the season by defeating the Hawks 6-0 Friday evening.
With the 6-0 win, Brockport (20-16 Overall, 10-6 SUNYAC) reached 20 wins for the 14th straight season. Earlier in the season Spindler threw a shutout against conference opponent Plattsburgh in a rain shortened game in Florida. The Golden Eagle offense set the pace outhitting the Hawks 13-6 while Spindler worked the strike zone needing just 97 pitches for his sixth victory on the season.
The Golden Eagles crossed the plate in the top of the sixth inning. Right handed swinging Brett Sanders got the inning started with an opposite field single. After the second out of the inning, Brockport catcher Paul Ludden doubled down the left field line. Head coach Justin Beach held Sanders at third base with three hole hitter Wesley Burghardt coming up to the plate.
Burghardt responded with a clutch run scoring single. Burghardt's single only scored Ludden because Sanders had scored prior to the base knock because of a wild pitch from New Paltz's starter, Conor Donache. Entering the contest Donache's 3.30 earned run average ranked amongst the top 10 in the conference, but Brockport's starting pitcher had a strong bounce back game following his second shortest outing on the mound for the Green and Gold.
Brockport's two run inning was followed in the bottom half with a leadoff single from New Paltz. Spindler quickly worked around the opening hit as he needed just seven pitches to record three straight outs in the sixth to keep the score 2-0 in Brockport's favor.
The Green and Gold tacked on another run off Donache in the eighth before chasing the New Paltz starter from the lineup. Dane Cala singled to lead the inning off before Sanders' sacrifice bunt pushed him into scoring position. Ruddy's infield single pushed Cala one base closer to scoring before he was able to cross the plate on Ludden's RBI single through the left side which put Brockport ahead 3-0, which ended Donache's night.
The Hawks used two relievers in the eighth to keep the score intact at 3-0 but Spindler continued to shut the door on New Paltz with his eighth consecutive scoreless frame, picking up his lone strikeout of the game.
The Golden Eagles doubled their lead in the ninth. Luke Gilbert reached on a fielder's choice prior to Cala's line drive single into shallow centerfield. Back-to-back two out base knocks from Ruddy and Ludden increased Brockport's lead to 6-0.
The Hawks attempted an unlikely ninth inning comeback. The first two New Paltz batters reached base before Spindler forced a ground ball double play spun by recently shifted second baseman Sanders, Ruddy and defensive replacement Jack Wallwork. The final batter flew out to Dave Battel to conclude the action of game one of a three game series.
Ludden led the Green and Gold with three hits and three RBI while Ruddy, Burghardt, Cala and Sanders finished with two hits apiece. Spindler's excellent night concluded with nine innings pitched, no runs scored, six hits and two walks.
Brockport and New Paltz will conclude their series during Saturday's doubleheader starting at noon. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.