WINTER HAVEN, FL - The Utica Baseball team played two games against the University of Rochester today, March 9th, stunningly winning the first and losing the second contest in a pitcher's duel. The Pioneers took game one by a score of 6-5 and lost game two by a score of 3-0.

Game One

Small ball led the way to start the first contest of the afternoon, as after conceding the first run of the game on a sacrifice groundout, the Pioneers would turn around and score the same way. This was the story for the first three innings, as Ty Montrose (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) both had RBI sacrifice groundouts. Montrose finished the contest going 2-3, scratching the first Pioneer run across and scoring one run of his own. Jake Ogata (Jamesville, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt) laid a perfect squeeze bunt down as well, picking up his first RBI of the year. 

On the mound, Michael Flint (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) got the start for Utica, going 3.1 innings, walking one, giving up five runs (three earned), but striking out five. He turned the ball over to Justin Notargiacomo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa), who was nails out of the bullpen. The Massapequa native finished out the remaining 3.2 innings of play, giving up four hits, walking three, but getting some incredibly clutch outs to keep the Pioneers ahead.

Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pioneers were down by a score of 5-3. After two consecutive singles to open the frame, Matthew Paolucci (Toronto, Ontario/Silverthorn Collegiate Institute) stepped in the box and launched a clutch go-ahead three-run home run over the right field fence to give Utica a 6-5 lead. Starting that rally was Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero), who finished his day going 2-4 with two runs scored. With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Rockwell made an incredible full extension diving catch in right field to save the game and prevent the tying run from scoring on what would've been a sure-fire extra base hit. 

The jolt from the defense led to Notargiacomo slamming the door shut and giving the Pioneers a gutsy 6-5 win, their first of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

Game Two

The Pioneers would fall in this contest by a score of 3-0, with the Yellowjacket runs coming in the first two innings of play. These came courtesy of a walk and a single with the bases loaded, and an errant pickoff attempt with runners on first and second base. Andrew Lenhard was dominant for Rochester, silencing the Pioneer bats over six scoreless innings.

Garrett Greaney (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) got the start for Utica, and after battling through the first two frames, the rookie settled in nicely and kept the Pioneers in the game. His final line was five innings with four hits and three runs surrendered, walking four and striking out seven. He turned the ball over to Tyler Brown (Sayville, NY/Sayville High School) for the final inning, who made quick work of the Yellowjackets to allow Utica to potentially come back and win it in the final inning. 

The Pioneers would rally in the bottom of the seventh but wouldn't succeed in scoring, ending the game with a final score of 3-0.

The Pioneers' record moves to 5-3, and they return to play tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10th, at 2:00 PM against Dominican University of Illinois from Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida.