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UTICA University Pioneers

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Utica University Athletics

Matthew Prestopnik Action Shot
11
Winner Utica University UTICA 7-3
3
Minnesota Morris UMM 3-5
Winner
Utica University UTICA
7-3
11
Final
3
Minnesota Morris UMM
3-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Utica University UTICA 0 1 8 0 0 0 0 2 0 11 13 0
Minnesota Morris UMM 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 7 2

W: Prestopnik, Matthew (1-0) L: Johnny Lopez (1-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Utica Baseball’s Stellar Pitching Performance Leads to Convincing Win over Minnesota Morris

DAVENPORT, FL - The Utica Baseball team played its penultimate RussMatt Central Florida Invitational game today, March 11th, against the University of Minnesota Morris. Stellar pitching and an eight-run third inning powered the Pioneers to an 11-3 victory over the Cougars.

Starting the game on the mound was freshman Tyler Brown (Sayville, NY/Sayville High School). The Sayville native went 4.1 innings, surrendering six hits and three earned runs, but striking out six and shutting down the Minnesota lineup. He turned the ball over to Matthew Prestopnik (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls High School), who was dominant out of the bullpen. The Little Falls native went 4.2 scoreless innings, picking up the win, giving up only one hit, and striking out eight Cougar batters. Prestopnik had everything working for him, and completely shut down a lineup that started the season 3-1. The duo of underclassmen arms showcased a strength that the Pioneers have relied on during their first 10 games of the season, as the team has frequently employed the arms of many fresh faces including Brown, Prestopnik, Brady Leichtman (Bay Shore, NY/St. John the Baptist Diocesan), Garrett Greaney (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood), and Nathan Pcola (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham High School). Pcola was a major part of yesterday's victory, while Greaney had a solid outing against Rochester earlier this week. Brown and Prestopnik were no different, bolstering the strength and depth of the Pioneer pitching staff with a pair of great appearances in the victory.

The Pioneer offense also did its job today. Powered by an eight-run third inning, Utica cruised to victory, finishing the game scoring 11 runs on 13 hits. Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) led the way, going 3-5 with three RBIs and scoring one run of his own. Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's), and Ryan Smith (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon High School) each had two hits in the winning effort. Matthew Paolucci (Toronto, Ontario/Silverthorn Collegiate Institute) went 1-3 with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly. It was the second straight game in which the orange and blue bats managed to pile up double-digit runs, building on yesterday's 15-7 win. 

The Pioneers have now won three of their last four games, all over the past three days. Their record improves to 7-3, and they will play their final RussMatt game tomorrow, March 12th, at 10:00 AM against Drew University at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Florida.
 
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