CLINTON, NY -- The Utica College baseball team lost to host Hamilton College 8-3 in the 32nd annual Jackie Robinson baseball game at the Loop Road Complex on Wednesday. 

This year marked the 32nd annual Jackie Robinson game between the Pioneers and the Continentals. Starting back in 1987, the two schools have played each other once every year in a game dedicated to the great Jackie Robinson in honor of him breaking through major league baseball's color line. Hamilton has now won four straight Jackie Robinson games and the series is tied at 16-16 in 32 meetings all-time.

Utica, which recently clinched the No. 4 seed in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament, saw its record fall to 14-19 on the season.  Hamilton evened its record at 16-16 on the season. The Pioneers return to action on the road Friday when they wrap up the regular season series against St. John Fisher College at 4 p.m.

Utica junior Christopher Ramsundar (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) was named Utica's Jackie Robinson game most valuable player after posting an RBI double in the seventh inning to score Patrick Fitzgerald (Clinton, NY/Notre Dame). Matthew Fitzgerald (Clinton, NY/Notre Dame) went 2-for-4 on the afternoon with one RBI, while Ryan Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) posted one hit, one run scored and one RBI. Patrick Fitzgerald (Clinton, NY/Notre Dame) added one hit and one run scored, while Maki Medici (Latham, NY/Shaker) drew three walks. 

The Pioneers struck first in the top half of the first inning when Matthew Fitzgerald (Clinton, NY/Notre Dame) drove in Ryan Palmer (Verona, NY/VVS) to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.  

Hamilton then rattled off seven straight runs over the course of the next six innings.  The big push came behind a four run fifth inning. 

UC pushed home two runs in the top of the seventh to make the score 7-3, but the rally proved to be too late as the Continentals came away with a five run victory. 

Four Pioneers each pitched two innings in the loss.  Justin McKenna (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum Senior HS) started the game and struck out one while allowing two earned runs. Jake Cavanagh (Plainville, NY/King Phillip Regional) struck out four of the six batters he faced in 2.0 scoreless innings of work.  Timothy Horodnick (Durhamville, NY/VVS) struck out one and allowed four earned runs, while Brendon Sarnowski (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) came on in relief and struck out three in the final 2.0 innings of the contest.

JACKIE ROBINSON GAME ALL-TIME RESULTS:
2019- Hamilton 8, Utica 3
2018- Hamilton 9, Utica 8
2017- Hamilton 12, Utica 3
2016- Hamilton 19, Utica 9
2015- Utica 15, Hamilton 6
2014- Utica 3, Hamilton 1
2013- Hamilton 6, Utica 1
2012- Utica 7, Hamilton 6 (10 inn.)
2011- Hamilton 4, Utica 0
2010- Utica 11, Hamilton 10
2009- Hamilton 19, Utica 5
2008- Hamilton 11, Utica 7
2007- Cancelled (Weather)
2006- Utica 15, Hamilton 8
2005- Hamilton 15, Utica 9
2004- Utica 12, Hamilton 3
2003- Utica 7, Hamilton 4
2002- Hamilton 7, Utica 6
2001- Hamilton 13, Utica 5
2000- Hamilton 7, Utica 4
1999- Hamilton 14, Utica 9
1998- Hamilton 11, Utica 8
1997- Utica 18, Hamilton 12
1996- Utica 5, Hamilton 0
1995- Hamilton 10, Utica 2
1994- Utica 14, Hamilton 0
1993- Hamilton 7, Utica 3
1992- Utica 9, Hamilton 8
1991- Utica 10, Hamilton 1
1990- Utica 5, Hamilton 3
1989- Utica 3, Hamilton 2
1988- Utica 11, Hamilton 6
1987- Utica 12, Hamilton 3
Series is tied at 16-16 all-time.