UTICA, NY - Spring is officially in full swing, as the Utica baseball team has begun Empire 8 conference play, and they are just getting started. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the Pioneers' series against the crosstown SUNY Poly Wildcats was postponed. But a little bad weather will not get in the way of Utica baseball, as the Pioneers have a busy week ahead of them, including make up contests for those Poly matchups right at the beginning of the week. 

Poly and Utica will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, to resume their doubleheader that got rained out. The games will be played at the Accelerate Sports Complex in Whitesboro, NY, resuming play with the Wildcats leading 4-1 in the bottom of the second inning of game one. The game is set to begin at 12:00 PM.

Following the matchup against SUNY Poly, Utica will play a non-conference doubleheader against SUNY Canton on Wednesday, March 25th, at Murnane Field at Donovan Stadium. Game times are scheduled for 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. 

Once the matchup with Canton is settled, the Pioneers will play another conference series, this time welcoming Elmira College to Utica. The series will start with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28th, before a single game on Sunday, March 29th. Game times for Saturday are set for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, whilst Sunday's contest is slotted for 12:00 PM. All three contests against Elmira will be played at Pioneer field on the campus of Utica University. 

So, for anyone counting, that is seven games in six days for the Pioneers - no shortage of baseball despite battling poor weather in the area. For both the doubleheader against SUNY Canton and the series against Elmira College, links for live stats and to watch the stream are on the Utica Baseball schedule page. You can find that page here: https://uticapioneers.com/sports/baseball/schedule/2026

Scouting SUNY Canton - The Canton Roos come into the contest with a record of 6-6 in 2026, which includes a 4-3 win against Empire 8 opponent SUNY Poly, and a 12-8 loss against Elmira College. The Pioneers are 15-6 against Canton all-time, in which they split their last two matchups in 2024. The Roos are led offensively by Sal Diaz, who has started the year hot, batting to the tune of a .406 average and a 1.313 OPS in 12 games. Diaz has driven in 13 RBIs on 18 hits, 11 of which went for extra bases, including four home runs. On the mound for Canton, Zander Johnson has led the way. The junior has made four starts and has recorded 21 strikeouts and 11 walks in 23.0 innings.

Scouting Elmira - The Elmira Soaring Eagles are currently sitting with a record of 9-3 in 2026, including a 6-2 spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. In conference play, they split their first doubleheader against St. John Fisher and will play the rubber match tomorrow, March 24th. The Pioneers are 22-10 all-time against the Soaring Eagles, and have won 11 of their last 12 matchups dating back to 2022. Elmira is led offensively by freshman Jordan Barthel, who has started his college career on a tear. The Massachusetts native is batting .486 with a 1.688 OPS in 12 games played, with 17 hits, including 12 extra-base hits and five home runs. On the mound, Michael Polsinelli Jr. has made four starts for Elmira, pitching to a 4.82 ERA with five strikeouts and five walks in 18.2 innings.

After Elmira - The Pioneers will embark on a short road trip where they face Russell Sage College for a mid-week game on Wednesday, April 1st, at 3:00 PM before travelling to face Alfred University that weekend. The Pioneers will face the Saxons on April 3rd, at 1:00 PM, and will come back the next day, April 4th, for a doubleheader. Game times for the doubleheader are scheduled for 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM

Keep an eye on our athletics social media for any last-minute scheduling changes!