HOBOKEN, NJ – The Utica College baseball team opened up Empire 8 Conference play with a big 4-2 win over Stevens Institute of Technology Saturday at Dobbelaar Field. UC's Stephen Szatko (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit Valley) led the way with a complete game victory tossing nine innings allowing just two runs while fanning six. The local native gave up two scores in the first and went on to shut down the Ducks over the next eight frames en route to his team-best third win of the season.

Utica improves to 7-2 on the season including a 1-0 mark to open up league play and remains atop the conference in win percentage (.778%).  The Ducks even their overall mark at 7-7 while falling to 0-1 in Empire 8 action.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in their first at bat with two hits and the help off a hit batter and one walk.  Adam Pexton (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was hit by a pitch to leadoff the game and then advanced to second and third on wild pitches.  Benjamin Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Clinton) then walked and advanced to second on a Ryan Watson (Deerfield, NY/Whitesboro) ground out before back-to-back hits by Thomas Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas ) and Brandon Thomas (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markam) drove in the UC runners. Dinnen singled scoring Pexton while Thomas doubled pushing Hobaica across the plate for two quick scores.

The Ducks answered right back however with two runs of their own on two hits to knot up the contest.  UC returned the favor with a leadoff hit batter and a walk followed by a two out double from Brian Hennelly to tie the game up at 2-2 after one frame of action.

The teams would settle in thereafter as the game featured three innings of scoreless ball. The Pioneers regained a slight lead in the top of the fifth as Thomas roped a two out single scoring Hobaica, who walked, from second base giving UC a 3-2 edge.   

Utica tacked on another score in the top of the sixth on no hits to take a 4-2 lead.  Vincent Burillo (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central ) was hit by a pitch to start the inning and later scored with the aid of three walks and one Stevens' mishap.

The home team Ducks would have a chance in the bottom of the ninth as they had runners on second and third, however UC's Szatko would close out his complete game gem to give Utica its first win in E8 action.

Thomas led the UC offense with two hits and two RBI while Hobaica scored on both of his base on balls.
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The teams turn right back around on Sunday for a twin bill at Dobbelaar Field.  Game one will be a seven inning game set to start at 11 a.m. with a nine inning game two contest to follow.