CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Sophomore pitcher Nate Novak (Hudson/Hudson High School) pitched a complete game four hitter to lead the Hudson Valley Community College (26-14) baseball team to a 3-2 win over Schenectady County Community College (17-17) in the opening round of the NJCAA Region III tournament in Troy.
Hudson Valley has advanced to the double elimination regional final four in Batavia. The Vikings, the tournament's No. 3 seed, will meet second seeded Erie Community College in the first game. No. 4 Herkimer County Community College and No. 1 Genesee Community College also advanced to Batavia.
Novak struck out 15 and walked four, allowing two runs in nine innings. In the process, Novak became Hudson Valley's all-time wins leader. His career record is 16-3, surpassing former Hudson Valley great Gary Walcott, who was 15-1 in 1970-71. Novak also was two-for-four with a key two-run double at the plate.
Hudson Valley struck first in the second inning when freshman Chris Chisena (Troy/Troy High School) hit an RBI ground out that scored Novak, who had singled and stole second base.
Hudson Valley took a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning on Novak's double to centerfield.
Freshman Greg Blass (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa High School) hit a two-run single to bring the sixth seeded Royals to within one in the eighth inning.
Freshman Andrew Brickwedel (Ballston Lake/Catholic Central High School) was three-for-three at the plate for the Vikings. Sophomore Brett Weber (East Greenbush/Columbia High School) was two-for-three with a double.
Schenectady 000 000 020 - 2 4 1
Hudson Valley 010 020 00x - 3 8 1
Schenectady: DJ Davis, Austin Pitkin (7) and Zach Hasselbarth
Hudson Valley: Nate Novak and Nick Barbera