NEWARK VALLEY - Multiple big innings came back to bite Newark Valley on Monday, as the Cardinals dropped their home opener to Whitney Point, 16-9 in a windy IAC contest.

Newark Valley got off on the right foot to start the game, scoring two runs and jumping out to   an early lead behind Scott Wager's two-RBI single in the first.

Unfortunately, the first of two big innings for Whitney Point came in the visitor's half of the second inning. The Eagles managed to score five runs on just three hits and pull ahead 5-2.

Chase Purcell singled in the bottom of the second, but the Cardinals were retired in order quickly after that. After a scoreless third inning, Whitney Point put together another solid inning, bringing three more runs across in the fourth.

It was another big fifth inning that ultimately broke the game open in favor of the Eagles. The top of the fifth saw 10 walks total, including three that were the result of a batter hit by pitch. Mix in a single along with a fielder's choice, and Whitney Point finished the inning with eight runs on just one hit. 

Newark Valley showed resilience in the home half of the inning, working the count during multiple at-bats. Joshua Benjamin walked to begin the inning, followed by Brandon Eynon reaching base on a single. After a Joshua Karp walk, the bases were loaded with Gabe Merrill coming to the plate.

Merrill put one in play and reached base on an error that would score Benjamin and keep the bases loaded up. After a Scott Wager hit by pitch sent home another run, Karmine Cantaloni singled to score Karp from third. Merrill reached home as well after an error by the catcher.  Another hit by pitch on the following at-bat made the score 16-6 with no outs. 

With the bases still loaded, a run would get home once again for Newark Valley after Brenton Payne drew a walk to score Wager. Having batted around the order, Benjamin returned to the plate for his second at-bat of the inning and singled to drive in Cantaloni. With two outs, the final run of the evening was due on a passed ball that scored Purcell.

Benjamin and Eynon finished with two hits for the evening, while Wager drove in two RBIs. Karp, Merrill, Cantaloni, and Purcell all scored a run each.

Despite a valiant attempt at a late game comeback, the Cardinals fell short in their opener, but return to action on Wednesday when they host Moravia.