UTICA, NY – The Utica Baseball team hosted Elmira College on Sunday, March 29th, in their long-awaited debut at Pioneer Field. The homecoming was a massive success for the orange and blue, who soared past their southern tier opposition, sweeping the doubleheader in dominant fashion. The Pioneers took game one by a score of 13-3 before rolling to a 12-1 victory in the finale.

Game One:

Utica's offense erupted early and often in the opener, powering the Pioneers to a commanding 13-3 win to get started on the right foot.

After falling behind 2-0 in the second inning, the Pioneers responded immediately with a three-run frame. Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) got things started with an RBI double before Bryant Pereira (Woodbridge, NJ/Woodbridge) and Jacob Scalise (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) each drove in runs to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead.

The Pioneers continued to build momentum in the middle innings. Sacrifice flies from Pereira and Scalise in the fourth extended the lead to 5-2, and a Ty Montrose (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) RBI triple, followed by a Matthew Paolucci (Toronto, Ontario/Silverthorn Collegiate Institute) sacrifice fly, made it 7-2 after five innings.

The runs just kept coming as the Pioneers broke the game open in the seventh inning. Montrose delivered an RBI double before eventual Empire 8 Rookie of the Week Matt Paolucci launched a three-run home run to right center, pushing the lead to 11-2. The Pioneers added two more runs in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Ryan Smith (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon High School).

Paolucci led the offense with four RBIs, while Montrose added two hits and multiple RBIs. Berger also contributed a multi-hit performance with key extra-base hits.

On the mound, Kooper Knabe (Cortland, NY/Cortland) was outstanding, tossing seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out eight to earn the win. Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) finished the game in relief as the orange and blue secured the 13-3 victory.

Game Two:

The Pioneers carried their momentum into game two, using a dominant pitching performance from rookie sensation Brady Leichtman (Bay Shore, NY/St. John the Baptist Diocesan), along with another explosive offensive display, to complete the sweep with a 12-1 win.

Utica struck early in the first inning, capitalizing on walks and aggressive baserunning to plate three runs. Paolucci continued his Sunday statement as he delivered an RBI single, and the Pioneers added another run on a heads-up steal of home to take control.

After a quiet middle portion of the game, Utica broke things open in the fifth inning. Paolucci was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, and Luca Logan (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peters Prep) followed with an RBI single. Berger added another run with a base hit as the lead grew to 7-1.

The Pioneers put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, scoring five more runs. Paolucci delivered a two-run double as part of a four-RBI performance, while Pereira and Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) each drove in runs to cap the scoring.

On the mound, freshman hurler Brady Leichtman (Bay Shore, NY/St. John the Baptist Diocesan) was dominant from start to finish, twirling a complete game and allowing just one hit and one run while striking out ten batters.

Paolucci led the offensive attack with three hits and four RBIs, while Ty Montrose (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) scored three runs and reached base multiple times as Utica cruised to the 12-1 victory.

With the sweep, the Pioneers improved to 10-6 on the season and continued to build momentum heading into the heart of their schedule. The team will take on Russell Sage tomorrow afternoon, before battling Alfred this weekend.