Utica, NY – The Utica College baseball team hosted Hamilton College on Tuesday for the 31st Annual Jackie Robinson Game. The visiting Continentals rallied late in the game, scoring five runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn the 9-8 win.
After the game, the Most Valuable Player for each team was announced as per tradition at the Jackie Robinson Game.
Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck) was named UC's MVP, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI's, two runs scored, and a home run. Hamilton's MVP was pitcher Spencer Vogelbach, who threw for one inning without allowing a single run.
The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from
Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck).
Ryan Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) got in on the action in the fourth with a two RBI single to right field in the fourth. Quinlan would be back for more in the fifth, knocking out a solo home run to give Utica a 6-0 lead. Quinlan has now hit three homers in the last four games.
Matthew Yozzo (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the game, while
Zachary Schellenger (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Christian Tiffin (Sherrill, NY/VVS) went 2-for-5 at the plate and scored one run.
Ben Julian (Wynantskill, NY/Troy) and
Jake Ryan (Kingston, NY/Kingston) both tallied one RBI and one hit in the loss.
Senior
Brett Sarnowski (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) (1-4) received the loss on the mound for Utica, allowing five earned runs to score.
Mark Spina (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler) was the starting pitcher, throwing three full innings without surrendering any runs.
Brendon Sarnowski (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville),
Brian Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas),
Kolbie Glionna (Hagaman, NY/Amsterdam), and
Justin Shabman (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Kennedy Catholic) all spent time on the hill for UC.
Nate Goodman went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's and two runs scored for Hamilton. First baseman Graham McOsker connected for one double and knocked in three RBI's. McOsker's double in the ninth brought home the game-tying and go-ahead runs for the Continentals. Matt Zaffino finished 2-for-5 at the dish with one RBI and two runs scored.
Mike Borek got the start for Hamilton on the mound, pitching four full innings and giving up six earned runs. Ian Nish (1-0) entered to pitch in the eighth inning, striking out one batter on his way to receiving the win. The Continentals improve to 16-17 overall and now trail Utica 16-15 all-time in Jackie Robinson Games.
The Pioneers are now 12-17 overall, heading into their final series of the 2018 season. The team will travel to face SUNY Canton for a three-game set this weekend, starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.
