BOXSCORE
Senior Tom McCormick (Utica, NY/Utica Notre Dame) was 3-for-4 and freshman Kyle Tracy (Plainview, NY/Bethpage) hit his first career home run to lead The College at Brockport Baseball team, ranked #30 in the country according to the latest coaches poll, to a 6-2 come-from-behind victory over Plattsburgh Sunday afternoon in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game at the Clark V. Whited Baseball Complex in Brockport.
The games originally scheduled for Saturday were moved to Sunday and then trimmed to a single game due to harsh weather conditions. The same two teams will complete the three-game series with a doubleheader starting at 1 pm Monday in Brockport.
Plattsburgh (10-16 Overall, 5-7 SUNYAC) jumped out to an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning and another in the third to post a 2-0 early advantage.
After the early trouble, senior Kyle Smith (Sanborn, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) settled down and moved quickly through the Plattsburgh lineup allowing just one hit over the final six innings with three 1-2-3 innings including both the seventh and eighth innings. Smith finished with a complete-game victory – his sixth win of the season which is tied for fourth for wins in a season in Brockport history. He struck out eight batters taking his season total to 53 which is equal to his strikeout total from 2010 and the 106 total strikeouts ranks sixth on the all-time Brockport list.
“Kyle (Smith) had another quality start for us,” said head coach Justin Beach. “He hit a few bumps early and then settled into a groove. He pitched well considering the tough conditions.”
The weather conditions were less than ideal with a game time temperature at 32 degrees and a steady strong wind with gusts reportedly in excess of 40 miles per hour.
Brockport (18-8, 7-5) trimmed the lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the third inning when McCormick led off the inning with a double to right field. Senior Mike Goldstein (Slingerlands, NY/Guilderland) reach first after being hit by pitch and sophomore Jake Coleman (Hilton, NY/Hilton) hit a bunt single to load the bases.
With one out, junior Corey Booth (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley) reached on a fielder's choice play with McCormick thrown out at the plate. With the bases still loaded, senior Max Zimmerman (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) worked the count for a walk after falling behind 0-2 to start the at bat chasing home the first run of the game for the Golden Eagles.
The score remained 2-1 until the seventh inning when Brockport took the lead with two runs. McCormick opened the inning with a single to left centerfield and with one out, Coleman was hit by pitch to put runners on first and second. Senior Max Keado (Troy, NY/Catholic Central) doubled down the leftfield line bringing home the tying run in McCormick before Booth lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield as Coleman came home for the go ahead run.
In the eighth inning, Brockport added three insurance runs as Tracy hit a one-out solo home run to right field and Mike DeGregory (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) continued the rally with a double. DeGregory moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by McCormick. McCormick moved to second on a wild pitch and after a walk to Goldstein, both runners advanced on a passed ball. Coleman finished the scoring with a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
“I thought the seniors that played today really stepped up,” said Beach. “It was nice to see Tom (McCormick) have a good day at the plate and in the field on senior day.”
The 11 seniors on the Brockport roster and their parents were honored following the game as the team played one of its final regular-season home games.
