Score: Stevens Institute of Technology 5, Elmira College 4
Score: Stevens Institute of Technology 17, Elmira College 0
Records: Elmira (2-9, 0-2 E8), Stevens (5-9, 2-0 E8)
Location: Dobbelaar Baseball Field at the DeBaun Athletic Complex -- Hoboken, N.J.

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- The Elmira College baseball team opened the 2019 Empire 8 Conference slate on the wrong end of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday afternoon, as Stevens Institute of Technology walk-off in the first game, 5-4, before rolling to a 17-0 over the Soaring Eagles win in the nightcap.

Game One
Elmira and Stevens entered the seventh and final inning of the early game deadlocked at 1-1, as each teams' ace pitched well through the first six innings. EC's Nick Cottone '19 worked around five walks to limit the Ducks to a single run on two hits with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings, while Danny Poidomani surrendered four runs (two earned) with seven strikeouts in a complete-game effort for the Ducks.

In the top of the seventh, EC touched Poidomani – a southpaw ranked by Perfect Game as one of the top Division III draft prospects in the nation – for three runs to pull ahead 4-1. Jack Thomas '22 led off with a pinch-hit single and came around to score the go-ahead run on a fielding error committed by the Stevens third baseman. Following the error, Mason Ryan '22 hit a liner into center that plated Jared Money '22 from second. Another wild throw, this time by Stevens catcher J.C. Hanley attempting to catch Ryan stealing third, allowed the first-year infielder to trot home safely.

Despite a 4-1 advantage, junior reliever Corey DeMauro '20 was unable to close the game with the win. A two-run single off the bat of A.J. Falconite brought the Ducks within one, and Donny Gherardi came up clutch with a two-out, walked-off home run.

Game Two
With the momentum from the walk-off win still on their side, the Ducks came out swinging in the second contest. In total, Stevens tallied 17 runs on 15 hits and five Elmira errors. On the other hand, the Soaring Eagles were held without a run and stranded nine runners on base.

Although the loss was credited to Andy Reed '19, the senior lefty was charged with just three earned runs in 5.0 innings on the mound. He worked a 1-2-3 first inning by inducing two ground outs and fanning one, but the Ducks took the lead with two unearned runs in the second. EC nearly escaped the third without giving up any runs, but an infield error extended the frame long enough for the hosts to pad their cushion with three more, none of which were earned.

EC had opportunities to prevent the shutout, including a bases-loaded situation in the top half of the fourth. Walks to Thomas and Sam Plaugher '20, sandwiched around a James Delaney '22 single, filled the bags with two away, but Money grounded out on the first pitch he saw to end the threat.

The biggest inning of the game for Stevens came in the seventh when the Ducks scored six times on two hits, one error, four hit-by-pitches, and one walk.

News and Notes

• Elmira dropped the first two Empire 8 Conference games of 2019.
• Cottone gave up one earned run in his start, marking the third time in four appearances he has only allowed one earned run this season.
• Cottone increased his team lead in strikeouts to 24 on the season with six more against the Ducks.
• Zambarano and Ryan led the Soaring Eagles with two hits apiece in the doubleheader.
• Plaugher did not pick up a hit but reached base safely with three walks in the nightcap.
• Thomas also reached base three times, going a combined 1-for-3 with two walks in the two games.
• Money went 1-for-2 with a walk and a season-high two runs in the first contest.
• Joe Morrone '22 recorded his first collegiate hit.
• Mason Weir '21 made his season debut out of the bullpen and tossed a scoreless inning in the second game.

Up Next
Elmira and Stevens will wrap up their three-game conference series on Sunday, March 24, with a 12:00 p.m. bout at the Dobbelaar Baseball Field at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.