UTICA, NY – Senior
Ryan Watson (Deerfield, NY/Whitesboro) led the Utica College baseball team Saturday to a sweep over Houghton College at the UC Baseball Field. Watson had his hand in both victories with a walk-off single in game one and earning the win on the mound in game two. UC won game one 5-4 and game two 7-6 as it extended its win streak to five in a row.
The Pioneers improve to 17-11 overall and need just four more wins to tie the most victories in a season in over 24 years. The 1991 Pioneers went 21-8 under Head Coach Don Guido. The 1987 baseball team under Head Coach
Jim Spartano (Division I) posted a program-record 25-7 overall record. The 1987 baseball team was inducted into Utica College's Pioneer Hall of Fame last Spring.
UC is back on the diamond Monday as it greets Houghton again for Friday's make-up game. First pitch of the nine-inning game is set for 4 p.m. at the UC Baseball Field.
The Highlanders fall to 15-19 on the season and have now lost eight of their last nine.
Utica 5, Houghton 4 - Game One Final The Highlanders took an early lead as they managed one run with a two out rally in the first. A two-out walk proved tough for UC as Houghton worked the first score of the game on a single to left field. HC would add another run in the third on three hits as it led 2-0.
UC answered in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally of its own as designated hitter
Matthew DeMartino (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) blasted a three-run homer to left center giving the Pioneers a 3-2 edge.
Houghton retaliated with a home run of its own in the next frame. Senior Michael Kerr smacked a two-run home run over the center field wall as HC regained the lead, 4-3, at the midway point.
The Pioneers did not give up however as they used a two-run seventh to earn the comeback and the game one victory.
Benjamin Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Clinton) tripled to left field to lead off the inning and later scored on a
Jake Ryan (Kingston, NY/Kingston) rope to tie the game up at 4-4. Ryan advanced to second on an
Adam Pexton (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) sac bunt before scoring the game winning run on a
Ryan Watson (Deerfield, NY/Whitesboro) walk off single up the middle.
Junior
Joshua Webb (Verona, NY/VVS) evened his season record at 3-3 on the hill as he tossed his fifth complete game of the year. Webb allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out eight.
Utica 7, Houghton 6 - Game Two Final The Pioneers carried their momentum into game two as they put up three quick runs in their first at bat. UC used four straight hits, with two outs, to take an early 3-0 lead.
Watson started off the rally with a single and scored on a
Brandon Thomas (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) base knock to right field. Thomas would then come all the way around to score off a
Thomas Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas ) triple to the right center gap for Utica's second score.
Bryce Patterson (Corning, NY/Corning East) drove in Dinnen on an infield single for UC's third run of the inning.
Utica added four more runs, two in the fourth and fifth, as it moved to a 7-1 cushion. The Highlanders did answer however with five runs in the top of the sixth on two hits, a wild pitch and one UC error as the visitors pulled within one, 7-6.
Stephen Szatko (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit Valley) relieved Watson in the sixth and shutdown down the Highlanders allowing just one hit as he earned the ten out save.
Watson improved to 3-1 on the hill as he worked 5.2 innings allowing seven runs (six earned) while striking out five.
Brandon Thomas (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) went 3-for-4 in game two while
Thomas Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas ) and
Bryce Patterson (Corning, NY/Corning East) each added two hits, two runs scored and one RBI.
