CORTLAND, N.Y. - New Paltz struck for two runs in the top of the first and the Hawks defeated host Cortland, 3-1, in the opening game of a SUNYAC doubleheader. The second game was postponed due to rain prior to the start; a make-up date will be announced later.
 
The Hawks opened the game with an Anthony Pericolosi leadoff homer, followed by a Tommy Kreider hit by pitch, a groundout and a Dillon Ristano RBI double to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Cortland, which left 12 runners on base, got a run back in the third. The Red Dragons loaded the bases with no outs after a Lucas Granger (Horseheads) bunt single, an error that allowed Nolan Smith (Hamburg) to reach and a Marc Stockhausen (Bronx/St. Raymond) walk. After a foul out, Dylan Tierney (East Greenbush/Columbia) hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring in a run.
 
Cortland also loaded the bases in the sixth but couldn't score. New Paltz added an insurance run in the eighth when Kreider bunted for a single, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Michael Ascanio RBI single.
 
New Paltz starter Michael Weed went six innings for the win. He gave up seven hits and one unearned run with three strikeouts and two walks. Ryan Knieriemen gave up a hit over the next inning and a third and Matt Sarni, who started at shortstop, entered to pitch in the eighth on tossed the final inning and two thirds for the save. He struck out two and walked one.
 
Kreider finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs, Ristano went 2-for-3 with a double, walk and RBI and Ryan Muskopf was 1-for-2 with a walk.
 
For Cortland, starter Nick Jessen (Syracuse/West Genesee) allowed two runs on three hits in one-plus innings. Ryan Banks (Woodbury/Syosset) was strong in relief to keep the Red Dragons close. He allowed only one hit and no runs with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings. Nick Hanson (Ladera Ranch, CA/Aliso Niguel) allowed a run on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks over the last three innings.
 
Stockhausen finished 3-for-4 with a walk and Talon Elkins (Syracuse/West Genesee) was 2-for-4 with a double to lead Cortland's offense. Nick Marola (Saratoga/Scotia-Glenville) went 1-for-2 with a double and two walks.