Yaphank, NY – Sal Diaz and AJ Campi each had three hits across two games, and the SUNY Canton baseball team split in a pair of neutral-site, seven-inning games against the Baruch Bearcats Friday afternoon.

The Roos balanced play got them a nail-biting 5-4 win in the first game. In game two, the Bearcats used a big sixth inning to go ahead substantially and win 7-6, despite a valiant comeback effort in the top of the seventh from the Roos.

THE BASICS

• Results: Game 1: SUNY Canton 5, Baruch 4 | Game 2: Baruch 7, SUNY Canton 6
• Location: Lasorda Legacy Park – Yaphank, NY
• Records: SUNY Canton (4-6) | Baruch (2-10)

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
GAME 1 – BOX SCORE

• The Bearcats got on the board first in game one. In the second inning, three of the first four hitters reached on base hits and Baruch was up 1-0.
• SUNY Canton did not allow the Bearcats to have a lead for very long though, and the Roos wasted no time packing the bags in the bottom of the frame. Campi then came through with a 2-RBI double, and this was followed by a sacrifice fly by Chris McLean, then Diaz had a base hit to plate the fourth run of the inning as SUNY Canton was now up 4-1.
• Baruch, though, kept chipping away and scored another run in the third off a sacrifice fly and then again in the fourth inning on a run-scoring single.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Jacob Ortiz walked, stole second, then ended up scoring on an error and the Roos had a 5-3 advantage.
• After two quick outs in the top of the sixth, the Bearcats drew a walk and then followed it up with a double with some two-out damage to make it 5-4.
• After two walks to begin the seventh, Campi came in to pitch, but surrendered an infield single to load the bases with one out.
• Campi though, got the next batter to swing and miss three times, then a weak ground ball ended the game with the Roos not at all in a precarious situation.
• Campi earned the save, and also had three hits, two RBIs, and a double. Mark Maybee Jr. and Jared Paone each doubled in the win as well.
• Starting pitcher Zander Johnson tossed five innings, allowing three earned runs, and striking out four, getting his first win of the season.

GAME 2 – BOX SCORE

• Baruch once again scored the first run of the game with a tally in the first inning.
• In the top of the third, Ortiz led off the inning with a three-base hit. The Bearcats got a big strikeout, but McLean drove Ortiz home with a deep fly ball to center field as the Roos tied the game.
• After giving up a run in the first, Ben Feil was lights out on the mound, throwing the second through fifth innings scoreless with a few strikeouts.
• Heading into the top of the sixth inning, Diaz ripped a homer into left center. The line drive home run did not take long to leave the ballpark, and the Roos took a 2-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the sixth.
• Unfortunately, after going silent for several innings, Baruch got it going in the sixth. A walk followed by a two-run home run gave the Bearcats a 3-2 lead. Even restarting with no runners on base, Baruch continued to pour on the runs, scoring four more times to put the Roos in a deep 7-2 hole suddenly into their last at-bats.
• SUNY Canton had singles from Maybee Jr., Derek Maldonado, and Ortiz to begin the final inning. Campi had a ground ball where Ortiz beat the throw out to second and the Roos scored their first run of the inning.
• McLean then followed this up with a base hit that scored two more, then Diaz had a sacrifice fly to put the score at 7-6. However, the Roos fell ever so short in the comeback effort as a strikeout ended the game with the winning run at the plate.
• Diaz was the star of the show for the SUNY Canton offense, accumulating six bases with a homer and a double. McLean tallied three RBIs and Ortiz tripled in the loss.
• Feil allowed three earned runs in 5.1 innings of work, giving up five hits and striking out four.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Roos will continue their Long Island trip with another doubleheader, tomorrow March 21, against the Lehman Lightning at 12 and 3 p.m.
   

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.