Elmira College (10-20, 2-9 Empire 8) at Utica College (8-19-1, 6-9 Empire 8)
Friday, April 29, 2016 | 2:00 P.M. (DH) | Utica College Baseball Field – Utica, NY
 
Elmira College (10-20, 2-9 Empire 8) at SUNY Canton (12-22, 4-11 Empire 8)
Saturday, April 30, 2016 | 12:00 P.M. (DH) | SUNY Canton Baseball Field – Canton, NY
Sunday, May 1, 2016 | 12:00 P.M. | SUNY Canton Baseball Field – Canton, NY
 
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College baseball team begins a crucial stretch in its push for the postseason when it heads to Utica, NY, to complete the season series with the Pioneers this afternoon. The Soaring Eagles start the day's action by resuming a previously suspended game, which Elmira leads 10-5 in the sixth inning, while the teams conclude the season series with another nine-inning contest. First pitch of the afternoon is slated for 2:00 p.m. The Soaring Eagles continue the weekend with a three-game set at SUNY Canton on Saturday, April 30th, and Sunday, May 1st.
 
Last Time Out
The Soaring Eagles dropped their second heart-breaking contest of the season to Alfred State yesterday afternoon. While last week's 5-4 loss to the Pioneers ended when an Elmira comeback bid in the ninth inning was stymied just inches short in a play at the plate, EC entered the ninth yesterday with a three-run lead. Alfred State roared back against the Elmira bullpen, pushing three runs across to force extra innings, before walking off with an RBI-single in the 10th. The 8-7 defeat gave Alfred State the sweep of the season series, with both contests decided by one run.
 
Career Day for Bawiec
Although Conor Bawiec '18 has been a hit machine for the Soaring Eagles dating back to his debut in 2015, the second-year Soaring Eagle achieved new heights in yesterday's contest against Alfred State. Bawiec swatted a career-high four hits, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs. It is only the second time in his career in which he has not made in out in three-or-more plate appearances.
 
Jenkins Stays Hot
Will Jenkins '18 has had an excellent second half of the season and continued his hot streak with another strong performance against Alfred State on Thursday. The second-year catcher went 2-for-3, with a both hits going for doubles, finishing with three runs scored and three RBIs. He has now hit safely in six straight appearances, posting a .409 batting average (9-for-22), four doubles, and six RBIs over that stretch.
 
Bellinger on a Tear
Dylan Bellinger '17 has been the thump in the middle of the Elmira batting order all season. He slugged two more hits on Thursday against Alfred State to stretch his hitting streak to eight consecutive games. He is hitting .400 (14-for-35) over the stretch, while he has bashed three doubles, three homeruns, and collected 10 RBIs.
 
All-Time Series: Utica
Elmira is 0-4 all-time against Utica after losing to opening game of the 2016 season series. The Pioneers stormed back from a late four-run deficit for an 11-10 win in the opening game played on April 2nd. Errors played a big role in the loss, as EC committed five defensive miscues, including two in the decisive bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Scouting Utica
The Pioneers got off to a slow start to the season, but have seemingly kicked into another gear when the Empire 8 slate intensified. Utica has posted a 6-7-1 record since its victory over Elmira on April 2nd, a stark contrast from the Pioneers' 1-12 start to the season. Tim Quinlan powers the UC offense, pacing the conference with a scintillating .432 batting average. He also leads the team with 12 extra-base hits, slugging eight doubles, two triples, and two homeruns. Quinlan also tops the squad with 23 RBIs on the year. Joshua Webb is the rotation's top starter, posting a 3.86 earned-run average and a 2-2 record on the year. He leads the team by a wide margin with 38 strikeouts.
 
All-Time Series: SUNY Canton
Elmira is 0-1 all-time against SUNY Canton, with the only matchup coming in the play-in game of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. The Roos took an 11-4 decision on Utica's home field.
 
Scouting SUNY Canton
The Roos enter the weekend set with a 12-22 overall record and a 4-11 mark in Empire 8 Conference play. SUNY Canton has been solid over its recent stretch with a 3-3 record over its last six contests, which includes a 16-12 victory over St. Lawrence University in its latest contest this past Thursday. Wilson Matos paces the SUNY Canton lineup with a .397 batting average, 52 hits, and 37 runs scored on the year. Seth Douglas is one of the E8's top power-hitters, ranking second in the conference with seven homers and 47 RBIs. Travis Bigelow paces the rotation with a 3.32 ERA, while he has tossed a conference-leading five complete games on the season.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira begins a home-and-home series against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Tuesday, May 3rd. The Soaring Eagles will honor its Class of 2016 with a special ceremony preceding first pitch, which is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Historic Dunn Field.