UTICA, NY - The Utica University baseball team traveled over to Saratoga Springs, NY, to face the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds in what was supposed to be a non-conference doubleheader. However, the teams only managed to get game one in as rain canceled the following contest. The Pioneers dominated on both sides of the ball from start to finish, gathering 13 runs on 13 hits to defeat Skidmore and gain some much-needed momentum heading into senior weekend.

Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) got the party started in the third inning, launching a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the Pioneers the lead. After almost every batter started the game with a hard hit out, Rockwell's homer opened the floodgates to the Pioneers' offensive explosion. The Liverpool native finished his day 3-5 with three RBIs to go along with two runs scored himself. 

Four Pioneers had multi-hit games, including Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), who continued his good season at the plate, going 2-3 with three RBIs and scoring twice. Matthew Paolucci (Toronto, Ontario/Silverthorn Collegiate Institute) had solid at-bats all day, including a line drive rocket of a home run in the sixth inning to dead center. He finished the day 1-2 with two RBIs and two walks.

Michael Flint (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) got the start and the win on the mound for the Pioneers, and he was lights out. The righty went the complete seven innings, only allowing a two-run home run in the fifth inning and three other hits, but otherwise striking out seven Skidmore hitters.

Utica's record moves to 14-11, and next up for the blue and orange will be a home conference game tomorrow, April 15th, against Russell Sage, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM. Following that game, it will be senior weekend as the Pioneers welcome Houghton University for the last home series of the year, starting on Friday, April 17th, at 3:00 PM. After that single nine-inning game, the teams will return the following day, Saturday, April 18th, for two games starting at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM respectively.

The Utica Baseball team will honor its 2026 senior class before the 12:00 PM game on Saturday, with the ceremony scheduled to begin at approximately 11:15 AM, so get there early to honor the great graduating class. 

Be sure to pay attention to the Utica University Athletics social media pages for any scheduling updates!