Auburndale, FL – The Utica College baseball team faced off against Rhode Island College in a nine inning contest, for the team's final game at the Russ Matt Invitational in Florida. UC could not get the bats going, falling 2-0 to wrap up the spring break trip.
 
Ryan Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) was 1-for-2 at the plate, with a single and drew one walk. Tim Quinlan (Monroe, CT/Masuck) and Maki Medici (Latham, NY/Shaker) both batted 1-for-4 in the matchup.
 
AJ Farina (Sherrill, NY/VVS) (L, 0-1) pitched just over five innings as the starter for Utica, striking out five batters while giving up just one earned run in his collegiate debut on the mound. Freshman reliever Timothy Horodnick (Durhamville, NY/VVS) entered the game in the sixth to finish up the day. Horodnick allowed one earned run and struck out three Rhode Island hitters in his first showing.
 
Rhode Island scored runs in the second and seventh innings, both coming off of RBI singles. The win improves the team's record to 5-1 overall, while the Pioneers drop to 2-7 on the season.
 
UC will return to New York following the trip down south to prepare for the start of Empire 8 competition. The team will matchup with Ithaca College for a three-game series, beginning March 23^rd at 1 p.m.