ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College baseball team lost a couple of games Wednesday afternoon, falling to SUNY New Paltz, 8-3 in the opener and 4-2 in the second contest.
The Raptors (5-7) fell behind early in Game One, as the Hawks of New Paltz (7-5) scored twice in the first inning. They tacked on another run in the second to push the score to, 3-0.
The score remained the same into the fifth inning, until Bard was finally able to get on the board, thanks to a ground out from
Esteban Rivera that scored
Quinn McInerney.
However, New Paltz responded with four runs in the sixth inning to make the contest, 7-1.
The Raptors added a couple runs late in the game, but the Hawks had more than enough to hold onto the win.
Sam Grumet, despite a solid performance, finished with the loss. He went five innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out two.
Chris Blake continued his hot streak, going 2-for-3 in Game One, while Rivera finished the contest with two RBIs.
Adam Carafotes doubled in the sixth inning, which gave him his 130th career hit, which moved him into first place on the all-time hits list ahead of
Alec Montecalvo.
Chris Moran (Wading River, NY) led the way for the Hawks, as he finished with two hits, two RBIs, a run and walk. Justin Stybel (Bellmore, NY) earned the win for New Paltz, after throwing two scoreless innings to begin the game.
Game Two saw a much closer game between the two teams, as the Raptors had a few great chances to tie the game up late, but just couldn't find the right pitch to do so.
This time Bard took the early led, thanks to a
Lee Perry ground out, which scored Carafotes, who tripled to begin the second inning.
The game remained 1-0 in Bard's favor until the fourth inning, when New Paltz scored four runs off three singles.
The bottom of the fourth inning gave the Raptors their best chance of putting up some runs, as the team had bases loaded twice in the frame, with just one out.
Julian Gonzalez managed an RBI on a walk to cut the lead to, 4-2, but that's all Bard would get in the inning, as
Preston Gittelson hit into a double play on the next at-bat.
The Raptors had another golden opportunity in the fifth to score some runs, as they had runners on second and third with just one out.
However, just like in the previous inning, the Hawks were able to pitch out of it, this time striking out the final two batters.
In the seventh inning, New Paltz again came through with some clutch pitching to seal their second victory of the day.
After two early walks and a throwing error moved Bard's runners to second and third with two outs, Brian LoRusso (Garden City, NY) managed to strike out
Chris Blake to secure the save for the Hawks.
Starter
Zach Hayes went three innings for the Raptors, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
Evan Richardson received the loss after allowing all four runs in relief.
Carafotes finished with two hits in Game Two, while
David Schlosser walked twice and got a hit.
Brian Brenton (Calverton, NY) picked up the win for the Hawks, while Julian Francesco (Bedford Hills, NY) knocked in two RBIs and scored a run.
The Raptors will return to action this weekend, as Liberty League play kicks off. They will host St. Lawrence for a four game series starting on April 1st. You can follow those contests right here via Live Stats and Live Video.
