The Utica College baseball team split with Ithaca College in an Empire 8 Conference doubleheader today at Freemen Field in Ithaca, N.Y. UC won the first game 2-0 however, fell short in game two losing 9-3.

The game stayed scoreless through five innings, but the Pioneers would start off the fifth inning with Allen Williams (Lopez, PA) singling to center field and stealing second to get into scoring position. On the next at bat freshman Jeremy Clark (Thorofare, NJ) singled to left to score Williams and UC took the lead at 1-0.

The Pioneers went on to win by a score of 2-0 as sophomore Andrew Dexter (Lewiston, ME) earned his second win of the season after pitching seven scoreless innings allowing only two hits.

In the second half of the double header,UC sruggled from the mound as they trailed 8-0 after two innings. At the top of the sixth, the Pioneers came to the plate looking to chip away at their nine run deficit. With no outs and two men on junior Kevin Oquendo (Caguas, PR) doubled to right center to score senior Adam Keller (Rome, NY) to put the Pioneers on the board. Following two straight outs, sophomore John Grogan (Albany, NY) would pinch hit a double to left center to score Oquendo and junior Anthony DiSalvo (Washingtonville, NY) bringing the UC run total to three.

The Pioneers would eventually lose by a final of 9-3 as sophomore Robert Amor (Oxford, NY) was dealt his second loss of the season.

Utica College is now 5-11 overall and 1-1 in conference as the Bombers stand at 6-11 and 3-2 in the Empire 8.

UC will be back in action tomorrow for another double header against Ithaca with an expected start time of 1 p.m.

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