Ithaca 7, Utica 6 - Game One Box Score

Ithaca 18, Utica 3 - Game Two Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (5/8/2011) - Junior designated hitter John Grogan (Albany, NY/Albany) hit a three-RBI home run, the second of his career, in the bottom of the seventh to spark a six run rally for Utica in game one but the Pioneers' fell just short, losing 7-6 in the opening game of a double header against Ithaca College Sunday afternoon at the Utica College baseball field. Freshman Alec Choleva (Coventry, CT/East Catholic) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs on the day, while senior Adam Bittel (New Hartford, CT/Northwestern Region) went 3-for-7 in his final two games as a Pioneer. Grogan finished the day going 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

The Pioneers wrapped up their 2011 campaign with an 8-27 overall record, including a school-record five wins in Empire 8 Conference play. Ithaca (17-13, 8-6 Empire 8) posted 17 hits in game two and earned a convincing 18-3 victory in the night cap.

The Pioneers trailed 7-0 headed into the bottom of the seventh in game one. UC opened the inning with three straight walks before Choleva was hit by a pitch, scoring Di Salvo, to start the late rally. Bittel then posted a sacrifice RBI and Ted Kreuger singled to right field to cut the visitors lead to 7-3. Grogan stepped up to the dish and drilled a home run to left field to clear the bases as the Pioneers cut the Bombers lead to 7-6. UC threatened with another base hit by senior Joe Sportman (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn), but Ithaca forced two ground outs to end the contest with the Pioneers trailing by one.

Senior pitcher Chris Pallas (Rome, NY/Rome Catholic School) pitched all seven innings for UC in game one and allowed just three earned runs but the Pioneers' struggled in the field, causing five errors in the loss.

Ithaca jumped out to a quick 13-3 lead in the first three innings of play in game two and never looked back, earning the 15 run victory.

Sophomore Nick Dunbar (Granville, NY/Granville) went 2-for-6 with two runs scored, while senior Anthony Di Salvo (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville) capped his great career with one hit and one run scored on the day. Over the course of four seasons Di Salvo posted a .330 average and tallied 126 career hits.

Freshman Austin Williams (Clyde, NY/Clyde Savannah) pitched 2.1 innings of shutout ball for UC in game two, while Grogan pitched 1.1 innings and did not allow a run.

The Pioneers will lose five seniors, including Di Salvo, Bittel, Sportman, Pallas and Zach Hasselbarth (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn), but winning five of their last 13 games will surely motivate the young Pioneers this offseason.

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