Courtesy of RITAthletics.com
ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT baseball team (11-6) extended its winning streak to four games after rallying to defeat Alfred State College (4-23) by a score of 8-5 at Tiger Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Down 3-1, RIT scored four times in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Jason Schulz (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) tripled to center field and Navada Waterman (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and third base with one out. Will Gorman (Nassau, NY/Columbia) would single through the left side, scoring Schulz to make it 3-2. After a Brett Kajganich (North Royalton, OH/Holy Name) walk loaded the bases, Waterman would score from third on a passed ball to tie the game. The next batter, Phil Sammon (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield), promptly ripped a hard double to left field, giving RIT its first lead of the game, 5-3.
After Alfred State cut the lead to 5-4 in the seventh, RIT would answer right back in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Gage Blasi (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) singled and stole second base. With a hit and run on, Schulz would single through the left side to easily score Blasi and give the Tigers a 6-4 lead.
RIT would add two big insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Dom Scialabba (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick) ripped a triple to right center field, plating Joey Mylott (Aurora, OH/Western Reserve Academy) and Mike Myers (Hamlin, NY/Brockport), making it an 8-4 game.
The Pioneers would score once in the ninth inning, but Kyle Povlock (Fairport, NY/Fairport) shut the door on a potential rally, earning his first save of the season and second of his collegiate career.
“We have an offense that is tough to keep down for nine innings and we showed that by finishing strong today,” said RIT head coach Rob Grow.
RIT out-hit Alfred State, 12-11. Schulz reached base four times, going 3-for-3 with a double, triple, two RBIs, a run scored, and stolen base. He was also hit by a pitch. Kajganich reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. Myers drew a career-high three walks. Eight different Tigers scored in the win.
Connor Ewing (Fairport, NY/Fairport) made his first collegiate start, allowing just one hit and one walk, while striking out two batters in three scoreless innings. Daniel Capra (North Salem, NY/North Salem) pitched the fourth and fifth innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Nick Claver (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) would earn his first collegiate win, allowing two hits and an unearned run, while striking out two batters in two innings. Povlock would close it out, allowing two hits and a run in the eighth and ninth innings for the save.
Cullen Franz led the Pioneers offensively, going 3-for-4 with a triple and long home run to right field in the fifth inning, giving Alfred State a 3-1 lead. The home run was his eighth of the season. David Zuber was 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
Lucas Cornell started on the mound for the Pioneers and was strong over the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He allowed six hits and three runs with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Thomas Hunter took the loss in relief, as Alfred State used five pitchers in the contest.
Today’s game marked the first ever matchup between the two schools.
RIT is back in action this weekend with a pair of home doubleheaders against Liberty League foe University of Rochester. Friday’s doubleheader starts at 1 p.m., while Saturday’s twin-bill begins at 12 p.m.
Leave a Reply