Elmira College (10-19) at Alfred State (11-19)
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | 3:00 P.M. | Alfred State Baseball Field – Alfred, NY
                                             
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- Fresh off a resounding victory over the Pennsylvania College of Technology at home, the Elmira College baseball team hits the road on Thursday, April 28^th, for a rematch with non-conference foe Alfred State. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
The Soaring Eagle offense had a power surge in its latest contest, an 11-2 drubbing of Penn College on Wednesday evening. The EC bats got off to a quick start, plating five runs in the first three innings. Nate Hanner '18 got things started with an RBI-double to right-center, while Nick Sampogna '18 and Dylan Bellinger '17 each bashed a two-run homer. The Soaring Eagles added on three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to blow things open. Hanner drove-in two more runs with an RBI-single in the seventh, while Dennis Rudolph '18 came up with a pair of big hits during the rally. The lead was more than enough for Elmira staff, as six pitchers combined to limit the Wildcats to two runs on five hits. Blake Phelps '19 got the start and notched his first collegiate victory, firing three scoreless innings and collecting four strikeouts.
 
Last Meeting vs. Alfred State
The Soaring Eagles dropped a 5-4 heart-breaker to Alfred State in the first meeting between the two teams last Tuesday, April 19^th, at Dunn Field. Trailing by two runs heading into the ninth inning, Elmira showcased its trademark resiliency to launch one final comeback effort. After Bryce Plante '18 grounded out to second to begin the final frame, Hayden Rothenberg '17 got the rally started by beating out an infield single deep into the hole at short. The EC outfielder swiped second, as Dennis Rudolph '18 went down swinging, putting one runner in scoring position with two outs. Dylan Bellinger '17 traded places with Rothenberg during the following at-bat. EC's power-hitter drove a deep blast that clanged off the fence in dead-center for an RBI-double. Conor Bawiec '18 wasted little time in his effort to tie up the game. He laced the first pitch from Alfred State reliever Kyle Kuzma right back through the box into centerfield. Off with the contact, Bellinger chugged around third and sprinted for the plate. Alfred State centerfielder Austin Baker quickly reached the Bawiec hit and fired a strike to the plate. The throw was perfect, nabbing Bellinger just in time to stymie the comeback just inches short.
 
Multi-Homer Game
The Soaring Eagles have not relied on the long-ball much this season, but made a bit of program history on Wednesday against Penn College. Elmira blasted multiple homers in the same game for the first time ever in the 11-run barrage. Nick Sampogna '18 launched his first collegiate round-tripper, a two-run blast that sailed way over the advertising sign in the right-center field in the second inning. Dylan Bellinger '17 smacked his fifth of the season the following inning, another titanic two-run blast out of left-center.
 
First Win
The Soaring Eagles pitched yesterday's game by committee with six pitchers getting in on the action. Blake Phelps '19 kicked off the contest with three strong innings to notch his first collegiate win. He allowed three soft singles and whiffed a game-high four batters. It was his third scoreless outing over his last five appearances.
 
All-Time Series
Elmira is 0-3 all-time against the Pioneers, including the narrow loss earlier this season. All three games have been nail biters decided by two runs or less.
 
Scouting Alfred State
Alfred State has been red-hot of late, entering Thursday's matchup winners in nine of its last 10 contests. Since its narrow victory over Elmira, the Pioneers have gone 4-1, taking three games of a four-game set with Maine-Presque Isle and an 8-3 decision over Fredonia. Thomas Shofi leads the club offensively with a .408 batting average, which includes 12 doubles, two triples, and two homers. He also tops the club with 23 runs scored and 18 RBIs. Shofi went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in the first meeting.
 
Looking Ahead
The Soaring Eagles resume Empire 8 Conference play on Friday when it travels to Utica, NY, for a pair of make-up contests. First, the teams will resume a suspended nine-inning game, which Elmira leads 10-5 in the top of the sixth inning. The teams will conclude the season series with another nine-inning game immediately following the conclusion of game one. First pitch for the day's action is slated for 2:00 p.m.