PURCHASE, N.Y. - A three-run fifth inning was all the Purchase College baseball team needed Wednesday afternoon, as the Panthers topped the visiting Hawks of SUNY New Paltz, 4-2, in a non-conference matchup.

With the win, Purchase now has back-to-back victories to move to 2-7 overall. Meanwhile, New Paltz dropped to 4-7 with the loss.

Despite the final score, it was the Hawks that struck first on the day, after the two squads went scoreless through the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, New Paltz crossed the plate twice following an RBI-triple and an RBI-double.

However, the lead was short lived, as Purchase responded in the bottom of the fifth with three-straight runs. To begin the frame, James Shea (SR/Brooklyn, NY) drew a walk, before a double from Cameron Cruz (FR/Bronx, NY) moved him to third. 

James May (SR/Floral Park, NY) then singled to third base to load the bases with no outs. 

With the bases primed, the Panthers knocked in their first run via Christian Homa's (SO/Fairfield, CT) fielder's choice. Mason Compton (FR/Carmel, NY) then hit an RBI-groundout to third, scoring the second run and advancing Homa to second.

Finally, Louis Carvell smacked an RBI-single during the next at-bat to push Purchase in front, 3-2. Two innings later, Carvell added to the run total, hitting an RBI-double down the left field line.

New Paltz threatened in the eighth by getting a runner to third, and in the ninth with two runners on and just one out, but weren't able to plate a run the rest of the way.

It was the Panthers' pitching duo of Myles Scarry (SO/Levittown, NY) and Ryan Castrataro (JR/Mahopac, NY) that held New Paltz in-check all-game long.

Scarry, who went eight innings, allowed just four hits and struckout three in the win. Castrataro earned the save for Purchase after his scoreless effort in the ninth.

Offensively, Carvell and Cruz each finished with two hits in the triumph, as the Panthers topped New Paltz for the first time since 2011.

Up next for the Panthers is the start of Skyline Conference action, as they travel to Yeshiva University on March 20th. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11 a.m.