The Utica University baseball picked up an impressive win in their home opener against the Houghton University Highlanders by a score of 9-1 on Sunday afternoon.
 

Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was credited with the win after pitching a career-high eight innings while allowing just one run and striking out five. Cardone was phenomenal at mixing up his pitches and leaving hitters guessing at the plate. Freshman Dylan Sullivan (West Orange, NJ/Columbia) continued his strong start to his Pioneer career pitching a clean ninth inning and striking out three batters.

The top of the lineup for Utica was deadly as the one-two-three hitters combined for eight RBIs. Dom Fasolo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led the way with four RBIs along with three hits, while John Son (Mellville, NY/Half Hollow Hills) also had three hits to drive in two. Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) had two hits of his own to bring in two as well.

Each team struck first in the fourth inning each putting up one run. It was heads up baserunning by Son to score on a throw to second trying to nab the runner from first stealing and score the Pioneers first run.

From there on out, Houghton didn't score again, and it was all Utica. All with two outs, the Pioneers scored three in the bottom of the fifth via RBIs from Crossley, Fasolo, and Son.

In the next inning, Utica did their damage again with two outs as they followed up with a four-run inning thanks to a bases-clearing double by Fasolo and a single to left by Son to bring Fasolo home.

The Pioneers added one more run in the bottom of the eighth as Crossley struck again with a scorching double to bring in Steve Sclafani (North Massapequa, NY/Farmingdale) for their ninth and final run.   

Utica (11-5, 3-1 Empire 8) will stay at home for a double header against the Highlanders tomorrow, April 3 with game one starting at 1 p.m. and game two scheduled for 4 p.m.