UTICA, NY - The Utica University baseball team is set for a three game road trip beginning with facing New Jersey City University on Saturday, March 2 at 11:30 a.m. The team will then face Yeshiva University on Sunday, March 3 in a doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
 
Follow Along: NJCU will provide live video here and live stats here. Yeshiva will provide live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team split the Sunday doubleheader with Maritime taking game one 12-2 (7 Inn.) and the Pioneers winning game two 9-4 (7 Inn.) to collect their first win of the new campaign. Andrew Salbinski (Essex, CT/Valley Regional) led the offense going 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs coming off a home run blast in the 5th inning. Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) also went 1-for-2 and slapped a double down the left field line. Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) had one hit in the contest, roping a single in the 5th inning as well.
Frederick Callo Jr. (Milton, NY/Marlboro) got the nod for Utica yet could not get out of the second inning with a final line of one inning, five earned runs, on three walks, with one strikeout, four wild pitches, and a hit batter while being credited with the loss. Justin Notargiacomo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) went three innings allowing six hits, six runs, five earned, with three walks, and three strikeouts. Jonathan Rivera (West Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Central) pitched one inning allowing one unearned run on one hit with one walk. Austin Rhodes (Wappingers Falls, NY/Kennedy Catholic) closed out the game on the mound pitching a clean inning with no hits and one punchout. The Pioneers bats were scorching in game two, tallying 12 hits while its pitching was also great allowing just four hits. Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) led the way going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) turned in another fine outing going 2-for-3 with a homerun, one RBI, and a team-leading four runs. John Longeretta (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany) and Tyler Jennings (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) each recorded a pair of hits with Jack Scanlon (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute), Dom Fasolo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), and Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) having one. Aidan McCue (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) picked up the win going three innings, allowing four earned runs, on three hits, with four walks and a pair of strikeouts. Peyton Newton (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) pitched one inning issuing a walk and punching out one. Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) dazzled, working three innings and allowing just one hit while striking out one to earn the save.
 
Read About It: Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) turned in a great opening weekend going 3-for-9 with a double, homerun, one RBI, and an incredible five runs. The senior was consistently getting on base for Utica sporting a .400 on base percentage and swiped a stolen base in his lone attempt. His .778 slugging and seven total bases also lead the team and he is cementing himself as a great middle of the lineup bat for the Pioneers.
 
A Star is Born: Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) had a dominant season debut against Maritime tossing three innings allowing just one hit with one strikeout to earn the save in game two on Sunday, February 25. The sophomore had elite control and his .33 WHIP and .111 batting average against are both the top marks on the Pioneers for players with multiple innings pitched.
 
Bringing the Lumber: Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) and Andrew Salbinski (Essex, CT/Valley Regional) each had some clutch hits over the weekend with Crossley leading the team with three RBIs and Salbinksi driving in two on a homerun. Tyler Jennings (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) turned in an impressive weekend going 2-for-6 with 2 RBI and delivered two timely singles. John Longeretta (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany) also was productive with two hits, two runs, and an RBI through his first seven at bats. 
 
Scouting the Gothic Knights: NJCU is 1-1 this season after topping SUNY Brockport 6-3 on Saturday, February 24 and falling to FDU-Florham 4-2 on Tuesday, February 27. The team will clash with St. Joes (Brooklyn) on Friday, March 1 before hosting Utica on Saturday, March 2 at 11:30 a.m. Enrique Beltra and Jeremy Ricourt lead the offense, each tallying four hits this season in nine at bats. Bryan Fernandez and Nick Vaughn are two more reliable bats with each smacking three hits thus far. Andre Dean has enjoyed a strong start to the season tossing 5.1 innings while allowing just three hits and one earned run. Dom Yarson is another good arm who has pitched six innings allowing three earned runs this season. Ricky Del Rio and Ali Pompey are two key arms out of the bullpen that the Pioneers may see.
 
Looking at the Maccabees: Yeshiva is 0-2 to begin the new season after falling in both contests to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Sunday, February 25. The offense is led by Noam Ouanounou, Coby Kamish, Avi Cohen, and Eli Cohen who each have one hit over the first two games. Coby Kamish has the team's lone RBI with Joshua Mintz scoring the lone run. Adam Zahler, Coby Kamish, Jacob Shakin, Joshua Mintz, and Jesse Rosenblum have all pitched at least one inning this season.
 
Up Next: The team will head to Auburndale, FL for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational beginning on Saturday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. against (RV) Keystone College.