HOUGHTON, NY - The Utica University baseball team shook off an early deficit to come from behind and beat the Houghton University Highlanders in 12 innings, 16-15. 
 
Utica scored 16 runs on 20 hits highlighted by an 11-run 3rd inning. Josh Duval (Utica, NY/Proctor) was one of six Pioneers to finish with multiple hits as the outfielder went 4-for-5 with a three-run home run, a triple and four RBIs. Andrew Salbinski (Essex, CT/Valley Regional) also went yard in the win as the sophomore went 3-for-7 in all with a double and four RBIs. Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) went 3-for-7 with a walk in the leadoff spot while John Longeretta (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany) (3-for-6, RBI), Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) (2-for-6, 2 RBIs) and Jacob Scalise (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) (2-for-7, RBI) all had multi-hit outings as well. 
 
Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) picked up the win after throwing the final three innings and allowing no runs on just two hits. Aidan McCue (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) was also solid over 5.2 relief innings giving up two runs on five hits and no walks with three strikeouts. 
 
After two full innings the Highlanders jumped out to a comfortable 11-2 lead. Looking to chip away at the Houghton lead, the Pioneers went a different route and jumped out in front by the end of the top of the 3rd. 
 
Utica scored 11 runs in the inning with the first three coming in by way of a Salbinksi two-RBI double and an RBI triple off the bat of Duval. Dom Fasolo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) drove in another on a sacrifice fly before the Pioneers were suddenly down to their final out in the inning down 11-6. The next eight Pioneer batters reached base safely with two away, starting with Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) bringing one in on a hit by pitch. 
 
After that, a wild pitch scored another before a Longeretta base-hit brought the team within two runs. Following an RBI single from Salbinski, Duval launched his second home run of the season over the left field fence for three more runs and a 13-11 Utica lead. 
 
Houghton Eventually evened the score after plating one in the 3rd and 4th innings each. 
 
The Pioneers jumped back out front in the top of the 5th thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Salbinski for his sixth of his sophomore campaign. Houghton tied the game again in the bottom of the 6th on a single while an infield single by Scalise in the top of the 8th put Utica back in the lead. 
 
Up 15-14 in the bottom of the 9th, McCue retired the first two Highlander batters to quickly put the Pioneers one out away from the win. However, the next batter doubled before immediately scoring to even the score and force extra innings. 
 
Ford came in for Utica and held Houghton in check over the extra three innings of play. The Pioneer offense gave him a lead to work with in bottom of the 12th after Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) singled home Fasolo in the top half to spring the team ahead 16-15. 
 
Ford remained in control and retired the Houghton side in order in the bottom of the 12th to cap off Utica's thrilling comeback win. 
 
The Pioneers will enter their final Empire 8 series against Keuka needing to take just one out of the three games to clinch an E8 Tournament berth.
 
Utica (14-21, 8-7 Empire 8) is set to take on Hamilton College in non-league action on Tuesday night. The sides will play at 7 p.m. from DeLutis Field in Rome for the annual Jackie Robinson Classic.