MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – For the first time since their seasons were abruptly curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic slightly more than one year ago, the SUNY Orange baseball and softball teams return to competition this weekend to kick off abbreviated Spring 2021 campaigns still impacted by the pandemic.

The softball squad opens the season on Saturday, March 27, with an away doubleheader against Suffolk at Noon, while the baseball team will host Sussex in a Noon twinbill on Sunday. In all, head coach Steve Cabarcas has compiled a 21-game regular season schedule for the baseball team while softball coach Amber Butenhoff has arranged an 18-game campaign for her Colts’ squad.

To begin the season, no spectators will be permitted at home games. The College will stream video of home contests and also operate live statistical updates via Gamechanger. Baseball video streams will be available on the SUNY Orange Baseball Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SUNYOrangebaseball) while softball contests will be available on the SUNY Orange Athletics Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OCCCAthletics). 

“All along, our intent was explore ways in which we could return our spring sports to competition while providing our student-athletes with the safest and most rewarding athletic experience possible,” said Athletic Director Wayne Smith. “Even with these schedules in place, we know our approach to this Spring will remain fluid. We’ve seen how the pandemic has impacted high school, college and professional sports, so we will closely observe state and local trends related to the pandemic and its spread. Our student-athletes will continue to undergo mandated pooled testing at the College.

“I appreciate the patience and flexibility of our student-athletes and coaches, and thank those schools in our region for working with us to arrange appropriate schedules,” Smith added. “I also am grateful to President Dr. Kristine Young and the College administration for supporting our efforts to return to the competitive environments we’ve all been missing over the past year.”

For more information, contact Smith at wayne.smith@sunyorange.edu or at (845) 341-4261.

SUNY Orange Baseball Schedule

March     28        Sunday           Sussex                          Home             12:00 (DH)

April       3          Saturday         Monroe Express            Home             12:00 (DH)

               10        Saturday         Monroe                        Home             12:00 (DH)      

               11        Sunday           Monroe Express             Home            12:00 (DH)

               17        Saturday         Suffolk                         Away              12:00 (DH)

               18        Sunday           Sussex                          Away              12:00 (DH)

               24        Saturday         Suffolk                         Home             12:00 (DH)

               25        Sunday           Monroe Express            Home*            12:00 (DH)

               26        Monday          Sussex*                        Away              7:00 PM

                                                  (Military Appreciation. Night)

May        1          Saturday         Ulster                           Away              12:00 (DH)

               2          Sunday           Ulster                           Home             12:00 (DH)

               7-8       Region XV Tournament                      TBA               TBA

               15-16    NJCAA District Tournament               Region XV      TBA

               29-       NJCAA World Series                           Enid, OK        TBA

All Home Games Played at SUNY Orange Field, Wawayanda Ave., Middletown

Bold denotes Mid-Hudson Conference/Region XV Games

 

SUNY Orange Softball Schedule

March     27        Saturday         Suffolk                         Away              12:00 (DH)

April       3          Saturday         Nassau                         Away              12:00 (DH)

               10        Saturday         Monroe                        Home             12:00 (DH)      

               17        Saturday         Monroe Express            Away              12:00 (DH)

               18        Sunday           Monroe Express            Home             12:00 (DH)

               24        Saturday         Nassau                         Home             12:00 (DH)

               25        Sunday           Sussex                          Home             12:00 (DH)

May        1          Saturday         Lackawanna                 Home             12:00 (DH)

               2          Sunday           Suffolk                         Home             12:00 (DH)

               TBA     NJCAA District Tournament               TBA               TBA

               TBA     NJCAA Nationals                                Oxford, AL      TBA

All Home Games Played at Mary B. Diana Field, SUNY Orange Campus, Middletown