Vikings Sweep Doubleheader From Suny-CobleskillHVCC Wins 8-7 and 6-0; Vikings' Win Streak Reaches 7 Games with Sweep

CONTACT: Athletic Department (518) 629-7328
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, April 18, 2008

TROY, NY - The Hudson Valley Community College baseball team swept a doubleheader from SUNY-Cobleskill today at Joe Bruno Stadium to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games. The Vikings won the first game, 8-7, on Max Keado's walk-off single, and in the nightcap, Troy's Chris Chisena threw a four-hitter as Hudson Valley blanked the Fighting Tigers, 7-0.

With the two wins, the Vikings improved to 14-5 on the season, while Cobleskill dropped to 10-11.

In game one, the Vikings took an early 1-0 lead on John Barna's RBI single in the first inning, but the Fighting Tigers answered back in the top of the second with two runs. With the bases loaded, Sebastian LaMountain hit a two-out, two-run single to left field to give Cobleskill a 2-1 lead. The Vikings avoided further damage when left fielder Mike McCrone threw out Nate Shelton at third base to end the inning.

In the bottom of the second, Hudson Valley tied the game at 2-2 on Marc Peluso's sacrifice fly and Jeremy Villano broke the tie in the third inning with a single to left that scored Mike Guillod.

The Vikings added to their lead with two runs on no hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cobleskill pitcher Matt Hansen walked three and hit two batters in the inning. Hansen got out of further damage as he got McCrone to fly out to center with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The Fighting Tigers added a run in the top of the inning to cut the lead to 5-3. Cobleskill could have added more if not for catcher Jeremy Villano, who threw out two runners at second base. With first and third and no outs, LaMountain tried to get in scoring position, but Villano threw him out. After third baseman Scott Robinson misplayed Matt Greene's grounder, allowing Nate Sheldon to score, Villano threw out Sheldon trying to steal second. McCrone made a diving catch on Matt Guerrido's fly ball to end the inning.

After retiring the Vikings in order in the fifth inning, Cobleskill added a run in the top of the sixth to make to a 5-4 game. Tristan Massalay led off the inning by reaching base on Scott Robinson's error. The next batter Tom Wiener hit a deep fly ball over center fielder Mike Guillod's head allowing Massalay to score.

The Vikings added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-4 lead. Scott Robinson led off with a double to right and Rich Guillod hit a triple to right center scoring Robinson. Guillod would score on John Barna's ground out to shortstop Sebastian LaMountain.

Cobleskill scored three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 7-7. After retiring the first batter, Hudson Valley starter James Joy gave up consecutive hits to LaMountain and Matt Greene. After striking out Matt Guerrido, Massalay hit a single, scoring LaMountain. With runners on first and third with two outs, Hudson Valley manager Dave Hennessey brought in Max Keado to pitch to Tom Wiener. The move didn't work out as Wiener hit a line drive over the head over McCrone in left, scoring Massalay and Greene to tie the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, new Cobleskill pitcher Tom Wiener struck out the first two batters, but Marc Peluso hit a deep fly ball over the head of right fielder Matt Guerrido that rolled all the way to the wall, allowing Peluso to reach third. On a 1-2 count, Keado hit a shallow fly ball to left field that fell in between Massalay and LaMountain, allowing Peluso to score the game-winning run.

Rich Guillod, John Barna and Jeremy Villano each went 1-for-3 with two runs batted in for the Vikings. Keado picked up the win in relief, while Wiener took the loss.

In game two, the Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Cobleskill starting pitcher Matt Guerrido walked the first three Hudson Valley hitters to start off the game. After John Barna hit a sacrifice fly to center, Mike Guillod hit a two-run RBI double to left field to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. Mike McCrone drove in Guillod with an RBI single to left to make it 4-0.

Marc Peluso and Max Keado each walked to start the second inning and Scott Robinson drove them both in with double off the top of the wall in right-center to give the Vikings' a 6-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Keado kept pitcher Chris Chisena's shutout bid intact as he threw out Nick Poleto at home. After Chisena threw away Tim Capitummino's slow roller in front of home plate over the head of first baseman John Barna into right field, Poleto tried to score from first. Keado's throw was right on line to catcher Casey Job, who caught the ball ahead of Poleto who was heading towards home. Poleto came running into Job with his head down, but Job held onto the ball during the home plate collision. Poleto was ejected from the game by the home plate umpire for the hit.

Scott Robinson and Mike Gulliod each had a hit and two runs batted in for the Vikings. Chisena tossed his first shutout of the season. In picking up the complete game shutout, he allowed four singles while striking out four.

Hudson Valley will travel to Corning for a doubleheader against the Red Barons on Sunday (1 p.m. start).

Game 1 -
HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE , 8, SUNY-COBLESKILL 7

Matt Hansen, Tom Wiener (7) and Nate Shelton. James Joy, Matt Keado (7) and Jeremy Villano.

WP - Keado. LP - Wiener. 2B - COB, Sebastian LaMountain, COB, Tom Wiener (2), HVCC, Scott Robinson. 3B- HVCC, Max Keado, HVCC, Marc Peluso and HVCC, Rich Guillod. TEAM RECORD - SUNY COBLESKILL, 10-10; Hudson Valley CC, 13-5.

Game 2 -
HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE , 7, SUNY-COBLESKILL 0

Matt Guerrido, Ray Newbauer (6) and Nate Shelton. Chris Chisena and Casey Job. WP- Chisena. LP - Guerrido. 2B - HVCC, Mike Guilldo, HVCC, Scott Robinson and HVCC, Casey Job. TEAM RECORD - SUNY COBLESKILL, 10-11; Hudson Valley CC, 14-5.