The Utica College baseball (5-25, 2-14 E8) team lost both ends of a double header at host St. John Fisher College (19-17, 8-8 E8) to close out the Pioneers 2009 Empire 8 Conference schedule. UC dropped game one 5-4, marking their fourth one run loss of the season, before falling 7-4 in game two. The Pioneers out hit the Cardinals 11-8 in game one while Chris Pallas pitched a complete game and allowed three earned runs in his fourth loss of the season. Jon Meyer posted four hits and added four RBIs for UC.
St. John Fisher jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over Utica in the first inning of game one of the double header, but UC quickly rallied scoring three runs of its own in the second inning. The Pioneers tallied their first run on an RBI sacrifice ground ball by Justin Buckley that scored Russ Haentges. Jon Meyer added to the scoring later in the inning with a two RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. UC's only other run came on a wild pitch in the fifth inning that scored Adam Bittel. Mayer led the way for the Pioneers in game one going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Chirs Pallas picked up the loss for UC despite pitching a solid complete game allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Pallas also struck out one batter and walked three.
The second game of the double header did not fare much better for the Pioneers. Starting pitcher Brandon Sleezer allowed seven earned runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings pitched for UC before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Justin Engelhardt led the way offensively for the Pioneers going 2-for-3 with one RBI and scoring twice. Catcher Jon Meyer drove in two RBIs and scored once on 2-for-4 hitting. The Pioneers fell short in the end falling for the second time on the day 7-4.
Utica College finished up its Empire 8 campaign with a 2-14 conference record with both wins coming against RIT earlier in the season. The Pioneers will finish out the season on Wednesday May 6 with two games at SUNY Oswego. Opening pitch for game one is scheduled for 4 p.m. and game two is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.
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