ROCHESTER, NY - Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) of the Utica University baseball team was named Empire 8 Co-Pitcher of the week, as announced by the conference on Monday. 
 
In Utica's 12-0 game one semifinal win over Russell Sage College on May 6, Cardone hurled seven shutout innings allowing just three hits while striking out six and walking none. The Whitesboro, NY native retired the first six Sage batters in order before escaping a 3rd inning unharmed that saw the first two Sage hitters reach base with no outs. 
 
After setting down the first two batters in the 4th, the next two Sage hitters reached base before Cardone induced an inning ending groundout to shortstop. From the 5th through 7th innings, Cardone allowed just two base runners on a hit and a fielding error as his day ended after 93 pitchers over 27 batters faced. 
 
Cardone and the Pioneers will travel to Rochester, NY to take on the St. John Fisher College Cardinals in the Empire 8 Championship. The best-of-three series is set to begin on Friday, May 13 with game one at noon and game two to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Game three, if necessary, is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m.