Auburndale, FL – The Utica College baseball team opened its season at the Russ Matt Invitational down in Florida on Sunday with a doubleheader against Simpson College. UC was swept in the two-game series, losing by scores of 10-0 and 1-0.
Game 1
Freshman outfielder
Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) was 2-for-2 in his collegiate debut.
Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck) went 1-for-2 at the plate, stealing one base and drawing one walk.
Ryan Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) recorded his first hit of the season in three at bats in the loss.
Griffin Baur (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) received the start on the mound, getting pulled in the fourth inning after striking out two batters and allowing five earned runs. Baur was given the losing decision, starting the season 0-1.
Sean Morris (Califon, NJ/Voorhee),
Taylor Hartman (Galway, NY/Galway), and
Kyle Bailey (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Central Catholic) all pitched in relief in the contest, combining for four strikeouts.
Simpson's batting was held in check until the fourth inning when the scoring began. All 10 runs in the game were recorded in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings of game one. Tanner Jansen struck out six batters for Simpson on his way to a win and a complete game shutout.
Game 2
UC's bats were quiet in the second match of the set, as
Matthew Leviton (South River, NJ/South River) recorded a double for the only hit of the game from the team.
Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck) and
Christian Tiffin (Sherrill, NY/VVS) both drew one walk to get on the base paths for the Pioneers.
Jonathan Hardy (Clinton, NY/Clinton) was given the ball to start the game, throwing for four innings and striking out four batters. Hardy received the loss to begin the season 0-1. Freshman
Matthew Doncell (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream) made his debut on the mound as a reliever, striking out five batters in three innings of work.
Brady Held begins the year 1-0 for Simpson, pitching a complete game with 12 strikeouts in the win. The team scored its only run in the second inning, to finish the sweep on the day.
The Pioneers are back at it on Monday, with a doubleheader against Amherst College. Game one of the set is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.