The Utica College baseball team will start off the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational on Monday with a double header against Lesley University. First pitch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
 
Russ Matt Central Florida Invitation: The Pioneers will travel to Florida to play eight games throughout the week in the Russ Matt Invitational … The last three seasons at the invitational, the Pioneers are a combined 9-15.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers opened their season against Yeshiva University in New Jersey … The team earned the victory both of the games by a combined score of 29-3 … It was the first time the Pioneers started the season by sweeping a double header since 2014 … UC earned a shutout in the first game of the double header winning by a score of 13-0 … Freshman pitcher Griffin Baur (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) earned the win in his first career start helping Utica achieve its first season opening shutout since 1991 … Alex Rocci (Utica, NY/Notre Dame) allowed just one run in four innings to earn the win in the second game, helping UC come away with the 16-3 victory.
 
Offensive Power: Utica had multiple players produce at the plate in the sweep over Yeshiva University … JT Ross (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) led the Pioneers with a 6-for-10 effort at the plate in two starts … Ross posted five RBIs, four stolen bases and three runs scored in the doubleheader … Jake Ryan (Kingston, NY/Kingston) went 2-for-6 with three runs and one RBI, while Tom Carrigan (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) went 2-for-8 with three runs and one RBI … Junior transfer Ryan Keefe (Ballston, NY/Ballston Spa) and freshman shortstop Ryan Palmer (Vernon, NY/VVS) both exploded in game two of the series … Keefe went 4-for-5 with two runs and one RBI, while Palmer went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBIs in his collegiate debut.
 
Dominance on the Hill: The pitching staff of the Pioneers was dominant in both games … In game one, freshman hurler Griffin Baur (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) did not disappoint in his debut as he struck out nine batters and did not allow a single hit or run in four innings of work … Kolbie Glionna (Hagaman, NY/Amsterdam) stepped on the mound in relief, striking out six batters and allowing just two hits to preserve the shutout … In game two, Alex Rocci (Utica, NY/Notre Dame), Eric Sahagian (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), and Dom Caccioppoli (Circleville, NY/Pine Bush ) combined for seven strikeouts, five hits allowed and gave up three runs.
 
Scouting Lesley: This game will be the season opener for Lesley University … Last season, the Lynx finished with a program-best 19-21 overall record and went 10-8 in conference play … Senior Mike Slaby returns to the team after leading the Lynx with a .361 average while tallying 18 runs batted in last season … Junior pitcher Tom Muratore also returns after being the only pitcher on the roster last year to register five wins.
 
Looking Ahead: The baseball team will be in action again on Tuesday for more invitational play … They will face Trine University for a double header with first pitch being scheduled for 9:30 a.m.