Winter Haven, FL (3/18/15)- Junior Josh Luczak (Ava, NY/RFA) allowed just four hits and struck out three to help the Utica College baseball team defeat the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 11-1, in seven innings Wednesday morning. The Pioneers were led by Andrew Hobika, Jr. (Clinton, NY/Clinton)'s four RBI's while going 2-for-2 including his first career homerun.  Brandon Thomas (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markam) also put together a perfect 3-for-3 day at the dish.
 
UC improves to 4-1 on the year, marking its best start to a season in over a decade.  The Pioneers look to keep their momentum rolling as they face Colby-Sawyer College in a double-header on Thursday.  The first pitch of game one is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.
 
Senior Ryan Watson (Deerfield, NY/Whitesboro) had a hand in four of UC's first five runs as he scored twice and reached base the other two times, facilitating two more scores.  Thomas doubled in the first, scoring Watson, as UC grabbed an early 1-0 lead. Then, in the third, Watson's strike out would give Utica a 2-0 edge after he reached first base on an error by MCLA's catcher, scoring Benjamin Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Clinton).  Hobiaca led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on an error and third on a wild pitch. 

The Pioneers moved to a commanding 7-0 lead in the sixth after Hobika blasted a 2-run homer scoring Jake Ryan (Kingston, NY/Kingston) and never looked back as UC would mercy the visitors in the next frame.  UC posted a four run seventh inning, on five hits, to close out its fourth straight victory. 

Senior Vincent Burillo (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central ) went 2-for-3 with two RBI while Jake Ryan, Christopher Wotten (Blackstock, Ontario/Cartwright), Ronald Mannella (Albion, NY/Albion), and Benjamin Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Clinton) also had hits for UC.  


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