Utica, NY - After this weekend's games against Elmira were postponed, the Utica College baseball team scheduled a doubleheader against Alfred State at home on Saturday. Games are set for noon and 2 p.m. 
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers swept Houghton on the road last Saturday while taking three out of four games between Friday and Saturday against the Highlanders. In doing so, Griffin Baur (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) became the all-time leader in program history for games started (33) and wins (14). 
 
One for the Trophy Case: UC had a pair of award winners from the week of 3/22-3/29. Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) took home Rookie of the Week with his two inning performance on the mound against Houghton. He allowed no earned runs on two hits while also coming across to score three times offensively. Sean Vanegas (Bronx, NY/Mt. St. Michael) took home Player of the Week honors as he hit 4-of-9 with five runs scored and three RBI over his three games played that week. UC also won each of the three games he played in. 
 
It's Always Sonny in Utica: John Son (Mellville, NY/Half Hollow Hills) has been the anchor of the Pioneers lineup through the team's first nine games. He owns the second-best batting average on the team amongst qualified players (.393) while having the highest OPS at 1.200. His 11 hits are the most on the team as are his nine RBIs and .714 slugging percentage. Son also has the only home run on the team to this point. His batting average, RBI total and SLG percentage all rank in the top five in the conference. Son is also one of two players to start each game this season.  
 
Shamari Sword: Shamariah McCullough (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth Regional) has been a tough out for opposing pitchers as of late. The transfer student leads the team with a .429 batting average which is also good enough for the third best in the Empire 8. He's also the team leader with a .571 on base percentage while also scoring 10 times this season, also the most on the team. 
 
Arms of Fury: While the offense has been on fire averaging 10 runs per game over the last four games, the pitching staff has held up their end as well. As a unit the pitching staff holds the lowest ERA in the E8 (4.15) as they have allowed 30 earned runs in nine games. Brian Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas), Tyler Catalfamo (Albany, NY/Colonie), Tj Labayewski (Clinton, NY/Clinton) and Cardone all hold ERA's of 0.00 while starters Travis Grogan (Middletown, NY/Middletown) and Baur hold ERA's of 3.86 and 3.00. Baur also leads the E8 holding opposing offenses to a .182 batting average. 
 
Scouting Alfred State: The Pioneers are 4-8 this season while riding a three-game winning streak. They hold a team batting average of .244 however, they offer some power at the dish with six home runs as a team in 12 games, three of which coming from Justin LoTemple. On the mound they give up 5.53 earned runs per game while teams have hit .278 against them. AJ Gartland and Jon White have been the team's top two starters. Gartland is 1-2 and owns a 5.91 ERA while striking out six per nine innings. White is also 1-2 while holding a 3.12 ERA and setting down an impressive 10 batters per nine innings. 

Up Next: UC will play a pair of doubleheaders next weekend against Houghton College. The Pioneers will be home on April 9 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. before traveling to Houghton on April 10 where the games will be at the same times.