Score (Game One): Stevens 3 – Elmira 0
Score (Game Two): Stevens 12 – Elmira 3
Records: Stevens (16-10, 8-2 Empire 8), Elmira (6-13, 0-6 Empire 8)
Location: Dunn Field – Elmira, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College baseball team continued its Empire 8 Conference slate when it kicked off its second homestand of the season by welcoming Stevens Institute of Technology to Dunn Field. The Soaring Eagles and Ducks took on a twin-bill in the first day of action with the visitors sweeping both ends of the doubleheader by 3-0 and 12-3 final scores.
 
With snow flurries falling throughout much of the afternoon combined with two of the conference's top pitchers, it is no surprised that the bats remained cold in a low scoring opener. EC starter Nick Sampogna '18 performed admirably, while he was opposed by reigning Empire 8 Player and Pitcher of the Year in Stevens' standout star Jayson Yano.
 
Sampogna got off to a bit of a rocky start in the opening inning, as the Ducks were able to push across a run to grab an early lead. Yano helped his own cause by leading off with a single to center. He advanced to third base on a pair of ground outs, before coming in to score on an infield single that Matt van Muelken '18 dove to knock down.
 
The lead, though small, proved to be more than enough for Yano, who was on-point with his control all afternoon. He retired the first nine EC batters, five by way of strikeout, in his first go-round through the Elmira lineup. Hayden Rothenberg '17 broke up his no-hit bid with a leadoff infield single to begin the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Sampogna was excellent in his own rite during his 5.2 innings of work. Although he did not have as smooth an outing as Yano, he was able to deliver several big pitches to escape further damage throughout the contest. He was able to strand two runners in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
 
Stevens finally was able to break through for some insurance runs in the sixth. Ducks' shortstop Matthew Pasko lined an RBI-single to center, while Yano collected his third base-knock of the contest to chase Sampogna with two outs in the inning. Andy Reed '19 came on in relief, but Stevens was able to steal a second run in the frame with some strategic base running to make it 3-0.
 
Elmira threatened Yano's shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Dylan Bellinger '17 and Conor Bawiec '18 smacked back-to-back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Yano quelled the rally by striking out Brian Wehmeyer '16 and picking off Rob Simpson '16 who pinch ran for Bellinger at second.
 
Game two began similarly to the opener as the Ducks again were able to scratch across a run in the top of the first. However, Elmira responded with a two-spot to take its first lead of the afternoon. Bellinger got the scoring started for the Soaring Eagles with a towering homerun that easily cleared the left field fence for the team's first round-tripper at Dunn Field this season. Bawiec followed an infield single, before coming all the way around to score on a throwing error during Wehmeyer's at-bat that followed.
 
EC started Reed to begin game two and he settled in following the shaky first inning. He retired Stevens in order in the second, but the visitors were able to level the score in the third. The Ducks took advantage of some shaky defense, as it was ruled that Yano slid into second safely because of a bobble by Elmira second baseman van Muelken. He came around to score two batters later of an RBI-single by Zeph Walters.
 
The Soaring Eagles got the lead right back in the bottom of the frame. Bawiec started the inning with a one-out bunt single down the third-base line. Designated hitter Nate Hanner '18 laced a two-out RBI-double to bring Bawiec around from first to make it 3-2. Reed left the start with the lead after a strong fourth inning.
 
Elmira turned to the bullpen to begin the fifth inning, as Dennis Rudolph '18 looked to keep the Soaring Eagles tenuous lead. Unfortunately, the lead did not last long, as the Ducks scored two during the second-year reliever's first inning. A throwing error by Rudolph started the rally for Stevens, allowing one run to score and putting runners on first and second with a throwing error. Wehmeyer added a throwing error when he tried to catch Stevens' Nick Sieber on a double steal at third, while Jonathon Toro capped the inning with a flared RBI-single to right field to make the score 5-3.
 
The advantage remained the same until the eighth inning, when Stevens broke the game open. The Ducks swatted six hits and plated seven runs to push the advantage to 12-3.
 
Inside the Box Score (Game One)

• Stevens outhit Elmira 10-to-4.
• Neither team committed an error in the contest.
• Three Elmira batters collected hits.
• Hayden Rothenberg '17 finished 1-for-3.
• Bellinger went 2-for-3.
• Bawiec finished 1-for-3.
• Sampogna fired 5.2 innings. He allowed nine hits and four walks, while Stevens was able to score three runs, all earned. He finished with five strikeouts.
• Reed completed the final 1.1 innings for the Soaring Eagles. He allowed one hit and struck out one Duck batter.

 
Inside the Box Score (Game Two)

• Stevens outhit Elmira 16-to-9 in game two.
• Neither team shined from a defensive standpoint. Stevens finished with three errors, while Elmira committed five miscues in the field.
• Six Elmira batters collected hits in game two.
• Bawiec led the way with three hits and a pair of runs scored.
• Bellinger also posted a multi-hit game with a 2-for-5 effort, scoring one run and adding one RBI.
• Hanner went 1-for-2 with an RBI-double.
• Cameron Heggie '18, van Muelken, and Rothenberg each finished 1-for-4.
• Although not collecting a hit, Wehmeyer and Bryce Plante '18 each drew a walk.
• Reed picked up the no-decision after 4.0 innings of two run (one earned) pitching. He allowed six hits and two walks, while he also fanned one batter.
• Rudolph took the loss, allowing 10 runs (four earned) in 3.2 innings of work.
• Joe Marigliano '17 threw one inning of scoreless relief.

 
News and Notes

• With the pair of losses, Elmira has now dropped four straight contests.
• Elmira falls to 0-5 all-time against Stevens.
• Bawiec extends his on-base streak to 30 consecutive contests with hits in both games this afternoon.
• Bawiec has hit safely in six straight games.
• Bellinger hit his second homer of the season, while it was the first hit at Dunn Field by a Soaring Eagle this year.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are scheduled to conclude the three-game set with Stevens at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10th. The forecast looks favorable for Sunday's finale; however, fans should stay tuned to the EC Athletics website and social media platforms for potential schedule updates.