HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – The Elmira College baseball team hosted the Gators of Russell Sage College for a conference doubleheader at the Holding Point Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles battled in both contests but dropped both matchups, 12-5 and 18-7.
GAME ONE: Soaring Eagles Fall in First Game Against Russell Sage
Michael Polsinelli Jr. worked his way through two strong innings on the mound to start the game, allowing one base runner each inning but keeping the Gators off the scoreboard. Russell Sage broke the scoreless tie in the third, picking up a run to take the advantage. Polsinelli kept the Gators down, dealing a perfect fourth and fifth inning with a strikeout and keeping the score 1-0. The Gators added a run in the sixth inning, extending their advantage to 2-0.
Alex Dinicola got things started with a two out single in the sixth and it was immediately followed by a single to left center by
CJ Wheaton.
Michael Currao continued momentum with a single to center, bringing Dinicola across to score and cutting the deficit to 2-1. A walk to
Xander Canfield loaded the bases with Soaring Eagles.
Connor Stone lined a single to right center, driving both Wheaton and Currao across to score and give EC a 3-2 advantage. The Gators responded with eight runs in the seventh inning to take the advantage back 10-3.
Bobby Cavalier got hit by a pitch with one out in the seventh and it was followed with a line drive single to center by
Devin Sullivan to put two runners on base. The Soaring Eagles could not push any runs across in the inning as they still trailed entering the eighth. The Gators added two more runs in the eighth to push their advantage to 12-3.
Sean Deaner launched a home run over the left center field wall to start the ninth inning for Elmira, cutting the deficit to 12-4. Later in the inning a single by Dinicola and a walk to Wheaton loaded the bases with Soaring Eagles. Benjamin Intili followed up with a single to left field bringing Cavalier across to score for EC. The Gators would close out the contest, Elmira falling in this one 12-5.
LEADERS
Offensively, Dinicola led the way, going 2-4 at the plate, while tallying a run scored. Deaner went 1-4 at the dish with a home run. Intili picked up a hit and an RBI in his only plate appearance.
GAME TWO: Soaring Eagles Drop Second Match Against Russell Sage
The Gators struck first in this one, putting up two runs in the first inning. Russell Sage added another run in the second inning, pushing themselves out in front 3-0. Canfield started the bottom of the inning with a walk, and it was followed by a single to left by Deaner to put two runners on. The Soaring Eagles could not push any runs across in the inning as the score remained the same. The Gators scored nine more runs in the third inning, pushing their advantage to 12-0.
Jordan Barthel singled to get a base runner for Elmira in the third but was left stranded on base. Russell Sage scored another six runs in the top of the fourth.
Brenden McGar walked to start the bottom of the fifth inning, and it was followed by a walk to Dinicola. Wheaton walked after that to load the bases up with Soaring Eagles. Barthel was hit by a pitch, forcing McGar into score the first run of the game for EC. Stone walked to bring Dinicola across to score another run for the Soaring Eagles. Canfield lined a base hit to left field to drive home Wheaton and make the score 18-3. Deaner followed up with another single to left field, bringing Barthel and Stone across to score, cutting the deficit to 18-5.
Brandon Policar walked to start the bottom of the seventh inning and two batters later Stone walked to put another runner on base. Canfield singled to right field, bringing Policar across to score and cut the deficit to 18-6. Intili singled later in the inning, driving Stone in to add another run to Elmira's total. The Gators closed out the match, Elmira falling in this one 18-7.
LEADERS
Offensively, Canfield led the way, going 2-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Deaner collected a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs in four plate appearances. Barthel notched a hit and an RBI, as well as a run scored during the contest.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return to action on Sunday May 3
rd for the series finale against the Gators of Russell Sage College at the Holding Point Recreation Center. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
