FIGHTING TIGER BASEBALL SPLITS WITH CORNING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The SUNY Cobleskill baseball team continued to be a factor in the NJCAA Region III Division III Play-off race as the Fighting Tigers traveled to Elmira, NY on Saturday to split a pair of regional games with Corning Community College taking the first game 8-6 before dropping a heartbreaking 4-3 decision in the nightcap. Cobleskill currently boasts a 9-20 overall record with a 6-8 mark versus NJCAA Region III Division III opponents.

In the first game the Fighting Tigers used a five-run third inning to take the lead for good from the Red Barons as freshman third baseman Nick Poleto, Colonie, NY, Colonie High School, drove in senior centerfielder/leadoff hitter Ryan Rockefeller, Bolivar, NY, Bolivar-Richburg High School, with a sacrifice fly, senior first baseman Jon Wallace, Avoca, NY, Avoca High School, doubled home a run followed by a two-run double off the bat of freshman catcher Casey Nacarlo, West Babylon, NY, West Babylon High School, who then scored on a single by freshman designated hitter Brad Gessel, Cohocton, NY, Wayland-Cohocton High School.

Offensively the top of the batting order with Ryan Rockefeller going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and senior second baseman Brett Wrixon, Kingston, NY, Kingston High School, going 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored delivered. Senior rightfielder Adam Cernauskus, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, went 1-for-3 with a double and two first inning RBI while Jon Wallace was 2-for-4 with an RBI also did their part in the victory.

On the mound freshman Chris Ravida, Colonie, NY, Colonie High School, pitched three innings of scoreless relief to record the victory for the Orange & Black striking out the games last hitter in a bases loaded situation.

In the second game the Fighting Tigers battled back to tie the contest at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning but a bloop single with two outs in the bottom of the frame game Corning the split  despite a gutsy performance by Nick Poleto who went on the mound for Cobleskill.

Catcher Brad Gessel was 1-fo-2 with an RBI for the Fighting Tigers while Ryan Rockefeller continued his hot hitting going 2-for-4 with a run scored as did Brett Wrixon who was 1-for-4 with an RBI in the contest. John Wallace and Adam Cernauskus also were each 1-for-4 on the day.

Cobleskill will next be in action on Monday April 30th when they host Mountain Valley Conference rival Hudson Valley Community College at Fighting Tiger Field beginning at 2:00 PM.