ONEONTA, NY – Senior Dave Paquette hit a two-run home run to lift the Oneonta State baseball team to a 5-2 victory over visiting Union College Tuesday afternoon at Red Dragon Field. Union was led by Matt Smith (Latham, NY/ LaSalle Institute), who hit 2-for-4.

 

The Dutchmen (1-10) took a two-run lead in the top of the second inning on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt by catcher Ryan Bowes (Hamilton, NJ/ The Peddie School). Brian Rhone (Dedham, MA/ Loomis Chaffee) reached base after being hit by a pitch, and then advanced to third on a double by Scott Carroll (Scituate, MA/ Scituate). Carroll advanced to third and Rhone scored on a wild pitch before Bowes laid down a bunt to plate Carroll.

 

Union starter Josh McKelligan (Canton, MA/ Salisbury School) held the Red Dragons scoreless through the third inning before reliever Matt Sheehan (Lexington, MA/ Belmont) took the mound in the bottom of the fourth. Oneonta picked up two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game as Nick Martino singled and then advanced on a Paquette double before the pair crossed the plate on a Ryan Myers double. 

 

Oneonta (13-2) rallied in the top of the eighth as the Red Dragons collected three runs on four hits in the frame. Brandon Galutz reached on a single and scored on Paquette's homerun. Myers hit his second double of the day and then crossed the plate on a Dan Randall single.

 

Bowes singled in the top of the ninth, but the Red Dragons retired the side, stranding Bowes on first.

 

Don Lawrence (2-0) earned the win, giving up two hits while striking out three in 3.2 innings of relief.

 

Eric Giovannone (New Hartford, NY/ New Hartford) took his first loss of the season, giving up three runs on five hits in 1.1 innings. McKelligan struck out three and gave up two hits in the first three innings. Sheehan allowed two runs on four hits in three innings while striking out two.

 

The Dutchmen are scheduled to open at home on Friday, April 7 in a 12 p.m. doubleheader with Rochester.