New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz Athletic Communications Office took a look back at some of the best highlights caught on camera over the past few years from all the Hawks varsity programs.

For the SUNY New Paltz Baseball program, the most memorable of late came in the 2018 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoffs against The College at Brockport. The Hawks earned their first postseason berth since 2013 and after falling in their first game against Oswego State, their season was on the line against the Golden Eagles on May 4 at SUNY Cortland's home field.

Senior Conor Donachie earned the start on the hill and threw his best game as a Hawk. Knowing the game was likely his last in the blue and orange, the seasoned veteran left everything he had on the mound. Donachie threw 10-plus innings, giving up just five hits, four walks in 34 at-bats with seven strikeouts to keep his team's season alive against Brockport. Donachie's lone run was given up in the top of the 11th, and he was ultimately relieved by junior J.T Carroll who closed out the inning and kept the deficit to just one going into the bottom half of the inning.  

Ryan Frost came up with a lead-off base-hit for SUNY New Paltz, putting his team in good position for a rally. Nick DePietro then got on after a beautifully placed sacrifice bunt, as a throwing error allowed DePietro to land safely at first and advanced Frost to second with no outs. The Golden Eagles decided to walk the next Hawks batter in senior Anthony Pantano who was having a monster season at the plate, especially in the last few weeks of the season, putting senior Justin Ganca up to the plate with a chance to win the game for his team. Ganca, who had a standout freshman season in 2017, leading the Hawks with a .343 batting average and a freshman to earn Second-Team All-SUNYAC honors, was coming off a devastating knee injury and had missed the majority of the season. Ganca was cleared just a couple weeks prior and had just four at-bats prior to stepping up to the plate against Brockport with the game on the line.

But, with the bases loaded and no outs, Ganca came up with the clutch hit and drove a pitch inside to left center, which allowed Frost to score and ultimately DePietro followed after beating the throw home to give the Hawks the dramatic, 2-1 victory.

Recently, Ganca, DePietro and Donachie sat down on a Zoom Call and looked back on the game and broke down the game-winning at-bat. To watch the full video, click below!

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