UTICA, NY - The Utica University baseball team is set to take on Elmira College this weekend for a four game series. The Pioneers will host the Soaring Eagles at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday before traveling to Gutchess Sports Complex in Cortland, NY to take on Elmira for another doubleheader on Sunday.
Follow Along: Live video and stats will be available on Saturday through
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/ while fans can find live video and stats on Sunday through
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/elmira/.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers split against Empire 8 Conference foe Keuka College on Friday. In game one, Utica held the lead 5-0 after their half of second, but Keuka would quickly answer with four of their own runs, and tally on six more to defeat Utica 10-6. Every starter on the Pioneers recorded at least one hit, with designated hitter
Joe Battista (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) most notable going 4-4. In game two, Utica used a 7th inning RBI single from
Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton HS) to take the lead and ultimately prevail 6-5 against the Wolves.
Brendan May (McGraw, NY/McGraw) and Joey Battista each had two hits a piece, with a combined three RBI in game two.
Conference Outlook: Utica currently sits third in the Empire 8 standings with the second-best overall record. St. John Fisher 19-10 (11-1 E8) is first, Russell Sage 10-20 (6-6 E8) is second, Utica 12-11 (5-5 E8) is third and Keuka 10-12-1 (4-5-1 E8) rounds out the top four. The top-four teams from the regular season will qualify for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with the top-seed hosting one semifinal and the second-seed hosting the other. The best-of-three semifinals will be played
Crossley's Consistency: Local junior and Whitesboro alum
Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) has been one of the best on both the Pioneers, and in the Empire 8 this season. Among qualified batters, Crossley currently sits first on the team and fourth in the Empire 8 with a .377 batting average, along with a 1.068 OPS, which places him second on the team and third in the conference. En route to taking the team lead with 21 runs scored this season, Crossley has also found himself on a 12-game hitting streak, which dates back to March 30. The junior is also top-five in the league with a .580 slugging percentage and a .488 on-base percentage.
It's Not a Sword: Another Whitesboro High School alum that has been tearing it up for Utica is sophomore
Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro). Cardone currently leads the Empire 8 and is 41st nationally with a 1.65 ERA over 32.2 innings pitched, while also being only one of two pitchers in the E8 to throw a complete game shutout this season. Cardone's 2-1 record is also among the best in the conference while his 33 strikeouts also rank third in the E8. When not on the mound, Cardone is batting .483 (14-29) with 11 runs scored.
Slammin' Sham: Junior
Shamariah McCullough (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth Regional) is one of the many Pioneers who have been swinging the bat effectively and efficiently. McCullough is currently batting .408 for Utica, the highest batting average in the Empire 8, with 20 hits, 12 RBI and 12 runs scored in just 16 games played. McCullough has already surpassed his career high in doubles (four), despite playing in nine less games than last season. Over his last seven games, McCullough has recorded hits in five outings with four of those coming in multi-hit fashion.
Bats Heating Up: After going 6-for-9 over two games played against Keuka last Friday,
Joe Battista (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) now finds himself fifth in the conference with a .373 batting average. The slugger leads Utica with 15 extra-base hits this season consisting of a team best eight doubles, four triples and three home runs. Battista also tops the Pioneer lineup with 22 runs driven in, a 1.122 OPS, and a .675 slugging percentage.
About Elmira: The Soaring Eagles enter the weekend 8-16-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the Empire 8 while in the midst of a six-game losing skid. The team is tied for last in the E8 with a .259 batting average while the pitching staff owns the highest ERA in the league at 10.17. Steve Leopold leads the team and is ninth in the conference batting .358 and is the only qualified hitter on the team above the .300 mark. Angus Adams has made a team-high seven starts on the bump and is 3-1 with a 7.97 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. Relief pitcher David Kruis has made a team leading 12 appearances and owns a 2.25 ERA to go with five saves.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers will travel to SUNY Cobleskill at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26.
