HOBOKEN, NJ (April 26, 2009) - The Utica College baseball team scored 15 runs in game one, including 14 in the final four innings, but Stevens seemed to have every answer and scored the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh as they defeated UC 16-15 in Empire 8 Conference play Sunday afternoon. Stevens completed the four game weekend sweep with a 10-2 win in the night cap. Chris Hine went 4-for-4 with five RBIs in game one, while sophomore first baseman Adam Bittel added two home runs over Dobbelear Field's short porch in right field.
The Pioneers fall to 5-22 (2-12 in Empire 8 play) with the losses while the Ducks improve their record to 17-17 (7-7 in E8 action). The 15 runs scored by UC in game one of the double header is the most runs the team has scored since a 20-14 victory over Hamilton College on April 18, 2006.
The Pioneers came out swinging in the first game of the double header compiling a total of 18 hits, including three homeruns (Bittel 2, Hine 1). Chris Hine led the way for UC going a perfect 4-for-4 and tallying five RBIs and two runs scored. He also walked once and blasted a solo shot to lead off a six-run fourth inning for the Pioneers. Adam Bittel also played a huge role in the offensive explosion formally known as the fourth inning. Bittel connected with an Anuniatta pitch and drove it over the right field wall for a three-run homer. In the end, a seven-run fifth inning and a game-winning run in the seventh proved to be too much Duck power for the Pioneers. Brandon Sleezer pitched four innings for UC allowing six runs (only three earned) on three hits and three walks. Sleezer also struck out three and threw three wild pitches. Justin Buckley (0-1) picked up the loss for Utica after giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Buckley pitched 1.1 innings allowing one run on two hits.
The second game of the double header did not fare much better for UC. Utica got out to a 2 -1 lead after two innings, but would not score another run the rest of the night. Kelvin Cabrera picked up the only two RBIs for the Pioneers with his two-run homer over the left field wall in the second inning. Utica was only able to muster up five hits in seven innings while allowing 10 runs on eight hits to the Ducks. The Ducks scored nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined to take a 10-2 lead on the Pioneers. Once ahead, Stevens never looked back. Sean Fisher (1-5) picked up the loss for the Pioneers after allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on seven hits in his 4.1 innings pitched. Fisher also walked seven batters while striking out five.
The Pioneers return to the field on April 29 at Cortland State. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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