UTICA, NY - The Utica University baseball team continues its packed April slate this week, beginning with a non-conference doubleheader later today against Liberty League side Skidmore. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the Pioneers will attempt to mount a big push in conference play, battling Russell Sage in the midweek matchup before taking on Houghton during a three-game series to wrap up the week. The Pioneers will also honor a spectacular group of 11 seniors ahead of Saturday's doubleheader. Get caught up before a big week and check out when you can catch the orange and blue in action down below!
 
This Week's Slate:
 
Tuesday, April 14th - at Skidmore College - 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM (Both 7 Innings) - Ferrari Field
Watch: https://skidmoreathletics.com/sports/2025/1/20/baseball-live-video.aspx
Live Stats: https://skidmoreathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
 
Wednesday, April 15th - vs Russell Sage - 3:00 PM - Pioneer Field
Watch: https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
Live Stats: https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
 
Friday, April 17th - vs Houghton - 3:00 PM - Pioneer Field
Watch: https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
Live Stats: https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
 
Saturday, April 18th - vs Houghton - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM - Pioneer Field
Watch: https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
Live Stats: https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
Senior Day Ceremony Begins at 11:15 AM on Saturday
 
Where They Stand: The Pioneers have entered the heart of Empire 8 Conference play with their last few outings of the season, now having played 11 out of 20 scheduled conference contests. The Pioneers currently own a record of 5-6 in the closely contested standings, slotting in as the fifth seed in the Empire 8 Baseball Tournament if the season were to end today. The tournament has the same format as last season, meaning the #5 and #6 teams will battle in a midweek matchup to determine who heads to the host site for the ensuing contest - a single elimination wild card game, where the winner advances to the traditional, double elimination portion of the tournament.
 
Here are the current standings heading into this week:
 
Empire 8 Standings
1: Russell Sage | 11-0
2: Brockport | 11-0
3: St. John Fisher | 9-2
4: SUNY Poly | 6-6
5: Utica | 5-6
6: Keuka | 5-9
7: Houghton | 3-9
8: Elmira | 1-8
9: Alfred | 0-11
 
The Pioneers will face the top team, Russell Sage, once this week. Additionally, the team will look to cement its spot in the Empire 8 postseason picture when it takes on the current #7 seed, Houghton, on Friday and Saturday. Prior to that Saturday, the team will honor its group of 11 seniors.
 
Class of 2026: The Pioneers will celebrate their 11 seniors ahead of this Saturday's matchup against Houghton. The core of this class has led the program to great success in recent years, including a 74-71 overall record, a 41-29 Empire 8 Conference record, and tournament appearances in all three seasons leading up to this campaign. In those three tournament runs, the team advanced to the Championship in 2024 and placed third in 2023. Each player has contributed in many different ways, leading to the growth of the program over the recent seasons. Here is a look at each senior that will be honored this weekend!
 
#2 Jacob Scalise (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) | Catcher
 
Scalise has been extremely reliable behind the dish in his three years since joining the program. The Whitesboro native has continued his stellar career in the Mohawk Valley since coming to Utica, starting in 66 games and recording 66 hits, 48 RBI, and 54 runs scored. His vision behind the plate has also been an asset while at bat, as he's racked up 32 walks to contribute to his .361 career on-base percentage. The clutch catcher was also named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in 2024. Scalise will be graduating with a degree in Business Management.
 
#3 Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) | Outfield
 
Liverpool native Rockwell has been a constant in the Pioneer lineup since transferring from Division I program Le Moyne ahead of last season. The rangy outfielder has also brought explosiveness to the plate, having 69 hits and 43 RBI, with 22 of those being extra base hits and seven of those going for home runs. Rockwell. The team's main right fielder has also slugged over .500 during his time in Utica, posting a .566 SLG and a .432 on-base percentage. He's also proved to be extremely versatile, which he showcased last weekend when he hammered a triple and then recorded a bunt single on the very next at-bat. Rockwell will be graduating with a degree in Construction Management.
 
#5 Dominic Bullis (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) | Infield
 
Bullis, another stellar Pioneer player from Whitesboro, New York, has played well in his two seasons for the team. The Finance major has done well in his at-bats, gathering a .364 average during his two seasons of play to pair with a .455 slugging percentage and a .533 on-base percentage. Bullis has taken advantage of the opportunities he's been offered, playing especially well this season as he's contributed a .375 average in five games played. Bullis will be graduating with a degree in finance.
 
#7 Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) | Infield
 
Czternastek, the third Whitesboro product in this illustrious Class of 2026, has found a major role the past two seasons as the team's main shortstop. In addition to flashing the leather on many occasions, Czternastek has been a major contributor on offense, leading the team in average during the 2025 season with a .371, before batting leadoff this season and compiling a .443 on-base percentage. His plate discipline has heavily influenced his offensive impact, as he already has 21 walks in just 22 games played this year. A career .320 hitter, Czternastek was also a frequent visitor to the mound in 2022 and 2023, pitching a combined 51.1 innings over those two years. Czternastek was honored as an All-Empire 8 Second Team selection in 2024. He will be graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice.
 
#13 Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) | Catcher
 
Fiorello, a native of Section 4, has combined with Scalise to create a wonderful 1-2 punch behind the plate as one of the team's main catchers during his four seasons. The Ithaca City graduate has played over 10 games in each of his four seasons with the program, racking up a career .316 average to pair with 43 hits and 26 RBIs. Fiorello has hosed 10 runners from behind the plate over the course of his career, but has been extremely dangerous to run on in this senior season, already having five caught stealings. Fiorello will be graduating with a degree in Health Science.
 
#16 Joshua Gross (Port St. Lucie, FL/Proctor) | Infield
 
Gross has been a solid addition to the Pioneer program following his stint at Mohawk Valley Community College, having two successful years for the orange and blue since his transfer ahead of the 2025 season. Gross, a graduate of nearby Thomas R. Proctor, made his varsity debut this season and has seen action in some high-leverage moments, including a start against St. John Fisher this past weekend. The Florida native has brought the power when he comes to the plate, slugging .667 on the season and averaging an RBI in half of his at-bats. Gross will be graduating with a degree in Exercise Science.
 
#18 Jordan Henkel (Melville, NY/Walt Whitman) | Pitcher
 
Long Island native Jordan Henkel (Melville, NY/Walt Whitman) has been a reliable force on the mound since transferring from Cazenovia College ahead of the 2024 campaign. The Walt Whitman graduate has appeared in 12 contests, pitching 29 innings while grabbing 22 strikeouts over that span. The lefty has also stepped up to the moment numerous times, including in a matchup against Hamilton that ended up abandoned due to rain. Through the first few innings, Henkel was completely shutting down the strong NESCAC side. The Pioneer pitcher has rebounded well this season following a season-ending injury at the end of the previous campaign. Henkel will be graduating with a degree in Sports Management.
 
#19 Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) | Relief Pitcher
 
Lefty pitcher Connor Ford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) has been a mainstay out of the bullpen during his time with the Pioneers, routinely eating up innings and proving to be a major momentum changer when he takes the mound. In four seasons, Ford has appeared in a program record 45 games, beating out former Utica great Griffin Baur with his most recent appearance against St. John Fisher this past weekend. Ford has seen 96 innings of action to date, gathering 76 strikeouts and three saves. He has been instrumental in helping the Pioneers make it through many long series, playing his role perfectly as the long reliever. Ford will be graduating with a degree in Physical Therapy.
 
#24 Aidan McCue (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) | Pitcher
 
Averill Park native McCue has been a versatile player for the Pioneers, slotting in as a pitcher in 2023 and 2024, before rebounding from a lossed 2025 season to make a few appearances as a batter in 2026. Through his first two years, McCue appeared in 18 games on the mound, picking up 38.1 innings and recording 24 strikeouts. This season, McCue has rebounded from injury with his first few appearances at the plate. He's scored as many runs as he has at-bats in the 202 campaign. McCue will be graduating with a degree in Business Management.
 
#25 Kooper Knabe (Cortland, NY/Cortland) | Starting Pitcher
 
Knabe has been the Pioneers' main starter dating all the way back to his freshman year in 2023, where he captured the team's first-ever Empire 8 Rookie of the Year award. He's continued to deal at an extremely high level since then, dominating in all other seasons. Knabe has totaled 33 appearances and 31 starts throughout his career, missing out on a majority of the 2024 season due to injury. Outside of that campaign, Knabe has recorded 121 strikeouts and only allowed opponents to bat .268 against him during his 147.2 innings of work. Knabe was an All-Empire 8 First Team, All-ECAC, D3baseball.com All-Region Third Team, and ABCA All-Region Third Team selection in his rookie year. Last season, he was an All-Empire 8 Second Team selection. Knabe will be graduating with a degree in Sports Management.
 
#29 Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) | Infield
 
Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) has been a consistent force in the middle infield during his four years with the program. The Lindenhurst native has played in 87 games for the Pioneers, including over 20 contests each season since his sophomore year. In that time, Berger has recorded 71 hits and 59 RBI, batting .295, including an outstanding .342 mark during this senior season. In addition, Berger has stolen 17 bases during his tenure, proving to be a potent force both at the plate and on the basepaths. His stellar defense at second base has also helped create a solid Pioneer defense during his four seasons. Berger was honored as an All-Empire 8 Second Team selection following his sophomore season. Berger will be graduating with a degree in Health Science.
 
Make sure to stop by Pioneer Field at around 11:15 AM this Saturday as we honor this awesome group!
 
Scouting Skidmore: To start off this week, the Pioneers will head to Skidmore for a Tuesday doubleheader.
 
The Thoroughbreds will enter the two-game set with a 15-9 record and a 3-6 mark in the always challenging Liberty League. The Saratoga Springs-based program also recently captured a big win over an extremely competitive Ithaca College side, defeating the Bombers 10-7 last Friday.
 
In that matchup, the Throughbreds received solid contributions from their top two batters, Eddie Galvao and Jack Collins, who each had a team-high three hits. The team would combine for 14 base knocks in the opening game of the series against a staunch Ithaca defense.
 
The senior slugger Galvao leads the team in many offensive categories, including batting average (.403), OPS (1.257), slugging percentage (.726), runs scored (24), and home runs (3).
 
Collins helps to provide a stellar one-two punch at the top of the lineup, with the junior infielder posting just under a .400 average, instead holding a .397 mark. Collins leads the team in hits by a wide margin, having six more than Galvao to total 31. Collins is an extremely tough out, only striking out seven times in 78 at-bats. He will challenge the Pioneer pitchers to rely on their defense. Offense is not all that Collins contributes, though, as he also slots in as one of the main starters on the mound.
 
Seeing as this is a Tuesday non-conference series, it remains to be seen who the Thoroughbreds will throw on the mound. Skidmore's next series is this weekend against Vassar, which gives any pitchers two full days of rest before the beginning of the next set.
 
Since Last Time - Russell Sage: Sage has continued their streak of success since the last time the two teams met. The Gators will enter Tuesday's matchup against Williams with a 22-3 record, also riding a 16-game win streak. Sage has obtained seven Empire 8 wins since the April 1st matchup against the Blue and Orange, scoring over 10 runs in each of those seven matchups while only allowing five runs max during that same stretch.
 
The Gators are currently receiving votes in both NCAA Division III rankings, including the DIIIbaseball.com poll and the ABCA Coaches Poll. The Gators are a perfect 11-0 in league play.
 
Scouting Houghton: The Pioneers will have a chance for some much-needed revenge this weekend when they play host to Houghton University for a three-game set on Friday and Saturday. Last season, the Highlanders managed to with the 5 vs 6 matchup, before defeating the Pioneers in the wild card contest to advance to the Empire 8 Tournament's double elimination bracket. This season, the Highlanders sit at 11-12 overall and 3-9 in conference. They face last year's champions, Brockport, in a standalone contest tonight, before traveling to play the Pioneers this weekend.
 
Just like last year, the Highlanders' main strength is their consistency in the lineup, as they have six batters who have seen action in all 23 of their contests. Seven players have also started or played in 20 or more games. Among those hitters, four players have posted a batting average of .300 or above.
 
The main offensive threat for Houghton is senior Christian Tortorici, as the Schalmont grad currently has a .407 batting average along with a 1.158 OPS, 35 hits, and 31 RBIs - all team-highs. Tortorici ranks just seventh in runs scored - meaning he is relied upon to plate most of the Highlanders' runs during his at-bats, and is less effective on the base paths.
 
Houghton also has a stellar supporting cast of Nate Hall, Qingyang Feng, and Nelson James, with all three players currently batting over .300 on the season. These players likely attempt to get on base at all costs, setting up Tortorici with runners in scoring position.
 
On the mound, Houghton has three main starters, as they will most likely look to start each one during a different matchup during this weekend's three-game set.
 
Christopher Gross returns as the #1 option for the highlanders, only allowing opponents to bat .178 against him in 118 at-bats. He has an ERA of 2.43 and possesses a massive capacity for strikeouts, with 47 in just 33.1 innings pitched. Gross might get the start against Brockport tonight, meaning he would be in line to start games two or three this Saturday.
 
Aiden Talcott and Conner Benitez are the other two starters for Houghton, and have similar numbers through each of their six starts, although Benitez seems to have a little more K-power. Benitez has held opponents to a .216 batting average, while Talcott has allowed opponents to bat just .260 against him.
 
Nate Tyler, Mark Lewandowski, and Cornell Lukas are other names to watch out of the bullpen.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers will take on Keuka College down in Keuka Park next Tuesday, April 21st at 3:00. Then, next Saturday, they will battle SUNYAC side Oswego State in a pair of seven-inning road contests to help bolster their resume. Finally, the team will make up the third game of a previous series with Elmira College on Sunday, April 26th at Pioneer Field at a time TBD.