COBLESKILL BASEBALL SWEEPS FERGUS FALLS TO CLOSE SPRING TRIP

The SUNY Cobleskill baseball team swept Minnesota State Community & Technical College from Fergus Falls, MN on Friday by scores of 6-3 and 8-7 yesterday in Port Charlotte, FL to complete the most successful spring trip in program history. The Fighting Tigers return home from the Sunshine State on the high side of .500 for the first time ever with a 5-4 overall record.

Trailing the Spartans 3-0 entering the fifth inning, the Fighting Tigers struck for a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 3-2. Then in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and the score tied freshman third baseman Chris Pietroski, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, was hit by a pitch to give Cobleskill the lead and key a four-run game deciding rally. Freshman Tom Wiener, Montrose, NY, Hendrick Hudson High School, continued to swing a hot bat for the Orange & Black going 2-for-3 on the day to make a winner out of freshman hurler Matt Greene, Albany, NY, Colonie High School, who stuck out five Spartan batters on his way to evening his record at 1-1 on the year.

In the nightcap the Fighting Tigers brought out the heavy lumber as freshman catcher Nate Shelton, Walton, NY, Walton High School, drove in a pair of runs with a triple while senior outfielder Dan Beck, Rotterdam, NY, Schalmont High School, went three-for-four on the day and freshman second baseman Matt Rutherford, Valhalla, NY, Valhalla High School, went two-for-three with a double and a pair of runs scored. Freshman designated hitter Matt Guerrido, Goshen, NY, Warwick Valley High School, was also a factor in the victory slugging his first home run of the season.

On the mound, senior Matt Hansen, Southold, NY, Southold High School, played the role of inning eater for a weary Cobleskill pitching staff going six innings to record the victory with help form freshman southpaw Tim Capitummino, Schenectady, NY, Niskayuna High School, who picked up his first collegiate career save by working a scoreless seventh inning.

The Fighting Tigers are next scheduled to take the field on Friday March 28th when they are set to host, weather permitting, the Wildcats of Cazenovia College for a doubleheader with the opening pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM.