Utica, NY (4-23-12) – The Utica College baseball is back on the field Wednesday as it heads to Potsdam, NY to challenge Clarkson University.

First-Pitch: The non-conference double header will be held at Jack Phillips Stadium with game one set for 2 p.m.

Pioneers of Late: Since April, 4, Utica has posted a 5-7 record including two big conference wins against Stevens as well as beating non-league opponents Union, Hamilton and SUNYIT…   UC presently holds a 6-22 overall record along with a 2-8 mark in the Empire 8. 

UC Sluggers: Junior Nick Dunbar (Granville, NY/Granville) and sophomore Alec Choleva (Coventry, CT/East Catholic) are leading the Pioneer offense at the plate… Dunbar is leading the team with an impressive .354 batting average to go along with team-high's in hits (35), RBI (26) and home runs (two)… Choleva, also Utica's ace on the rubber, is the only Pioneer to start all 30 games while tallying a .292 average with a team-best 22 runs scored…

On the Rubber:  Choleva and sophomore classmate Chris Jeffers (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) both lead Utica in wins, each posting a 2-3 record… Choleva is heading the rotation with 45 innings, 32 strikeouts and three complete games while posting a 3.80 ERA… Jeffers has compiled 39.1 innings while registering a 5.72 ERA and fanning 10 batters.

Meet the Golden Knights: Clarkson University currently maintains a 15-14 record overall while managing a 9-11 mark in the Liberty League…  The Golden Knights have posted a 5-3 ledger at home after recently splitting two double headers with the University of Rochester…  CU is 6-3 in non-conference play.

Around the League: Ithaca sits atop the conference standings with a 9-4 record in the E8 and a 19-8-1 overall ledger… St. John Fisher trails in second with a 7-4 conference mark and a 22-8 overall record… Stevens is in third, maintaining a 5-6 record and 19-13 overall with UC trailing in the fourth spot.

Fisher Up Next:  Following Wednesday, UC returns to the diamond this weekend as it welcomes E8 foe St. John Fisher for a three-game set…  Saturday's double header is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. as well as Sunday's single contest.