The New York University baseball team was defeated 5-4 by SUNY New Paltz on Sunday, March 17, at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburdale, FL.

NYU (6-2) scored the first four runs of the game, but the Hawks (5-3) scored the final five to win the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. 

Zane Baker hit a two-run triple in the second inning to put the Violets ahead 2-0 and NYU added a run in the third and fourth innings to take the 4-0 advantage.

New Paltz's Dean Stazler answered with a three-run home run to cut the margin to one run in the bottom of the fifth and the Hawks tied the game an inning later when Danny Campbell hit an RBI double. 

New Paltz scored the game's final run in the bottom of the eighth when Julian Francisco reached on an error and came around to score on NYU miscue. 

The Violets didn't go down easily in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out. But, New Paltz closer Ryan Votypka was able to get a strikeout before the game ended on a very close putout at first base.

NYU's pitching staff only allowed three hits as the Violets out-hit their opponent 9-3, marking the sixth time in seven games the squad has collected more baseknocks than its opponent.

Tim Salvadore started on the mound for NYU and tossed five innings, allowing just one hit and not issuing a walk. 

The Violets return to action on Monday, March 18, when they return to the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale to take on Illinois Tech at 3pm.