UTICA, N.Y. – The Elmira College baseball team traveled to Utica, NY for a conference doubleheader against the Pioneers of Utica University on Sunday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles battled by fell in both games of a doubleheader against Utica, 13-3 and 12-1.
 
GAME ONE: Soaring Eagles Stumple in Game One Against Utica
After a clean first on both sides, Connor Stone got the Soaring Eagles started in the second when he got hit by a full count pitch. Xander Canfield followed up with a single to left field to put two runners on. A walk to Michael Currao loaded the bases with one out for EC. A sacrifice fly by Bobby Cavalier brought Stone into score the first run of the game. Alex Dinicola reached base on an infield single to reload the bases with two outs. Kaden Bolt, the next batter, was hit by a pitch to bring home another run and give EC a 2-0 advantage. The Pioneers answered back with three runs in the bottom of the second to push themselves in front 3-2. The Pioneers got a runner to third base in the bottom of the third, but the runner was left stranded when Michael Polsinelli Jr. picked up a huge strikeout to end the inning. Utica's momentum continued as they added two more runs in the fourth, to move in front 5-2.

The Pioneers totaled two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend the advantage to 7-2. Cavalier picked up an infield single with two outs in the seventh. Dinicola followed up with a walk, but both runners were left stranded as EC could not push any runs across. Utica scored four more runs in the bottom of the seventh to push the advantage to 11-2. CJ Wheaton started the eighth inning off with an infield single to try to generate some momentum. Stone and Canfield both walked to load up the bases a few batters later. Brandon Policar followed up with a walk off his own, forcing Wheaton into score, and cutting the deficit to eight runs. The Pioneers scored two more runs in the bottom of the inning, ending the game via run rule, the Soaring Eagles falling in this one, 13-3.

LEADERS
Offensively, Dinicola led the way, going 1-2 at the plate and drawing a walk. Canfield went 1-3 and added a run scored to his total. Cavalier went 1-3 at the dish and tallied an RBI.

GAME TWO: Stone Homers, Soaring Eagles Fall
The Pioneers struck first in this one, picking up three runs in the first inning to move in front. Buttice started off the second inning with a walk for EC and then stole second. Elmira could not push any runs across in the inning, as Buttice was stranded on base. Alan Plummer picked a pair of strikeouts in a clean third inning of work to give some momentum to Elmira. Dinicola got on base to lead off the fourth with a walk. The baserunner was erased on a double play as EC could not bring anyone across the plate. Utica started the fourth with a double, but Plummer managed to escape the jam with no damage dealt. Connor Stone launched the first pitch of the fifth inning over the fence in left center field for his third home run of the season. The solo shot by Stone cut the Utica advantage to 3-1. Brenden McGar walked two batters later to give the Soaring Eagles another base runner. EC could not move him around as the score remained 3-1 in the middle of the fifth. The Pioneers responded by tacking on four more runs to put themselves out in front 7-1 after five innings. Utica added five more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 12-1 advantage. Utica closed out the contest, the Soaring Eagles falling in this one 12-1.

LEADERS
Offensively, Stone led the way, going 1-3 at the plate with a solo home run. Dinicola, Buttice, and McGar all drew walks to provide base runners for EC.

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return to action on Tuesday March 31^st in Keuka Park, NY for a matchup with the Wolves of Keuka College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.