FIGHTING TIGER BASEBALL STAYS IN PLAY-OFF HUNT TAKES THREE-OF-FOUR WEEKEND CONTESTS

With their backs to the proverbial wall the SUNY Cobleskill men’s baseball team took three-of-four games over the weekend splitting a pair of Mountain Valley Conference contests versus visiting Mohawk Valley Community College at Fighting Tiger Field on Saturday losing the opener 4-3 before coming back to take the second game by a 6-4 score. Then on Sunday, the Fighting Tigers took to the road traveling to Plattsburgh, NY to sweep Clinton Community College in NJCAA Region III Division III action by scores of 13-5 and 10-0. Cobleskill improves to 7-16 overall with a 2-4 record versus league competition. The Orange & Black also currently hold a 5-5 mark versus NJCAA Region III Division III foes.

“Taking three out of four heading into Herkimer on Monday is huge for us,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Bill Makarowski. “Splitting with Mohawk Valley on Saturday was important because they are a team similar to us and most likely a team we will be competing with for a tournament bid. Our pitching is starting to get back on track after the weather delays we’ve had lately and our hitting continues to be consistent with 14 hits on Saturday and 27 hits on Sunday.”

In Saturday’s opener the Fighting Tigers left 11 runners in scoring position and despite a gutsy performance by freshman hurler Dan Beck, Rotterdam, NY, Schalmont High School, who went the distance striking out five Hawk batters in the contest. The offensive force for Cobleskill in the game was senior second baseman Brett Wrixon, Kingston, NY, Kingston High School, who went 3-for-4 on the day with three RBI.

In the nightcap the Fighting Tigers struck for four first inning runs as senior rightfielder Adam Cernauskus, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, blasted a two-run homer on his way to a 3-for-4 performance including two RBI and two runs scored. Freshman designated hitter Casey Nacarlo, West Babylon, NY, West Babylon High School, also provided lumber to the Cobleskill attack going 2-for-3 with three RBI in the contest.

On the mound, freshman pitcher Tom Koepf, Arcade, NY, Pioneer High School, allowed only three earned runs in the game holding the hard hitting Hawks to only seven hits to post a complete game victory for the home team.

On Sunday the visiting Fighting Tigers showed the host Cougars of Clinton Community College who the bigger cats were as the visitors pounded out 27 hits to subdue their hosts. Cobleskill used a nine-run outburst in the fifth inning to decide the issue and make a winner out of freshman pitcher Matt Hansen, Southold, NY, Southold High School, who went the distance in the victory.

Senior centerfielder Ryan Rockefeller, Bolivar, NY, Bolivar-Richburg High School, went 4-for-4 hitting in the lead-off spot for the Orange & Black with three runs scored and an RBI while senior rightfielder Adam Cernauskus went 3-for-4 with the bat with two runs scored and an RBI. Freshman third baseman Nick Poleto, Colonie, NY, Colonie High School, was also a strong contributor to the victory going 2-for-3 with: a double, a triple, three RBI and two runs scored and freshman designated hitter Brad Gessel, Cohocton, NY, Wayland-Cohocton High School, went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

In game two, senior pitcher John Wallace, Avoca, NY, Avoca High School, stymied the Cougars allowing only three scratch hits striking out only one batter but only walking one Cougar in the victory.

Offensively catcher Brad Gessel went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and freshman second baseman Anthony Salarno, Colonie, NY, Colonie High School, went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Centerfielder Ryan Rockefeller continued his aggressive play with a 1-for-3 effort at the plate which included two stolen bases, a RBI and a run scored. Freshman leftfielder Tristan Massalay-Ellis, Queens, NY, John Bowne High School, also had a big day for the Fighting Tigers going 4-for-8 in the doubleheader with two runs scored and an RBI.