UTICA, NY – The Utica University baseball team wrapped up its weekend series against St. John Fisher yesterday afternoon, keeping the matchup close until the middle stages, but ultimately falling by a score of 16-5 at Pioneer Field.

The Pioneers found themselves down early to start the contest, as St. John Fisher capitalized on timely hitting in the opening frame to plate four runs on three hits.

Despite the early setback, the Pioneers responded in the third inning with a strong offensive push. Ryan Smith (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon High School) and Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) opened the frame with back-to-back singles before Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) reached on an error to load the bases. Tyler Brown (Sayville, NY/Sayville High School) delivered an RBI single to get Utica on the board, and Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 4-2.

However, Fisher would add another run to move the score to 5-2 in the fifth as they stole away all the offensive momentum. The score would remain at 5-2 until the latter stages of the contest.

On the mound, Brady Leichtman (Bay Shore, NY/St. John the Baptist Diocesan) settled in after the first inning, finishing five innings of work while allowing five runs and striking out four. Garrett Greaney (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) provided solid relief through the middle innings, helping keep the Pioneers within striking distance heading into the late frames.

However, the game broke open in the eighth inning. Fisher erupted for eight runs on six hits, taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues to stretch the lead to 13-2.

Utica answered in the bottom half of the inning with a late rally. Czternastek drew a walk and Brown singled to spark the offense before Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) laced a two-run double to left field. Matthew Paolucci (Toronto, Ontario/Silverthorn Collegiate Institute) followed with an RBI single, trimming the deficit to 13-5.

Fisher added three more runs in the ninth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI triple, to seal the 16-5 victory.

Offensively, Brown led the way with two hits and an RBI, while Berger drove in two runs with his extra-base hit. Rockwell and Paolucci each added an RBI, and the Pioneers totaled seven hits in the contest.

The loss moves the Pioneers to 13-11 on the season, and 5-6 in Empire 8 play. The team will look ahead to Tuesday's doubleheader matchup at Skidmore.