Auburndale, Fl. – The Utica College baseball team lost a pair of games against Loras College at the Russ Matt Invitational in Florida on Thursday. The Pioneers lost game one 12-2 and dropped game two 14-1.
Utica's record moved to 4-4 overall headed into its final doubleheader of the Spring trip on Friday when the Pioneers take on Olivet College at Lake Myrtle Field #8 in Auburndale, Florida at 9 a.m.
Loras 12, Utica 2 – Game One
Utica fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 12-2 loss to Loras in game one on Thursday.
JT Ross (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) finished game one with a 2-for-4 effort and he also posted one RBI, while
Mike Fancher (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) went 1-for-4 with one run scored.
Jacob Gaboriault (Colchester, VT/Essex) and
Charles McAllister (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) each provided a spark off the bench, going 1-for-2 in game one, while
Brandon Roberts (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) also posted a hit and a run scored for the Pioneers. McAllister also drove in a run for Utica. Freshman shortstop
Ryan Palmer (Vernon, NY/VVS) added a hit off the bench for the Pioneers as well.
The Duhawks took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and added seven runs in the third inning to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Loras took a 12-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning and the Pioneers threatened with two runs in the final two innings, but the comeback bid proved to be too late as the Duhawks came away with the double digit victory.
Justin Bodley-Bjorklund (Washington, DC/St. Johns) took the loss for Utica on the mound as he pitched 3.0 innings and struck out three while allowing just one earned run.
Brett Sarnowski (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) came on in relief and struck out three batters in 3.1 innings, while
Michael Canino (Highland, NY/Highland) finished out the game for Utica and did not allow a hit in two thirds of an inning of work.
Loras 14, Utica 1 – Game Two
Two big innings led Loras to a 14-1 victory in game two. The Duhawks pushed home five runs in the third and added nine more in the bottom of the sixth to earn the victory.
Alex Rocci (Utica, NY/Notre Dame) took the loss for the Pioneers as he tossed two and a third innings, surrendering five runs, seven hits, and striking out one. Cleanup hitter
Tom Carrigan (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) went 2-for-3 at the plate and also scored one run to lead the Pioneers.
Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck),
Mike Fancher (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville),
Zachary Schellenger (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) and
Brian McGuire (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) each posted one hit for the Pioneers.
Dom Caccioppoli (Circleville, NY/Pine Bush ) came on in relief of Rocci and pitched 3.0 innings, while striking out two.
Josh Call (Syracuse, NY/Solvay) closed out the contest on the mound for Utica and did not allow a hit in two thirds of an inning.
