Wildcats Open NEAC Play with Sweep of Bison

Wildcats Open NEAC Play with Sweep of Bison

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The SUNY Poly Baseball team (6-7, 2-0 NEAC) opened conference play in the nations capital with a two game sweep of Gallaudet (3-18, 1-3 NEAC) Saturday

Game one saw the Bison jump out to an early two run lead in the first two innings of play as the Wildcats bats were dormant. Freshmen righty Ryan Kelly kept the visitors in the game as he threw 6  innings strong allowing just 2 runs while striking out three. 

It was only a matter of time before the Wildcats bats woke up however, as with the Wildcats down 2-1 through 7 innings, and just six outs remaining the guests finally got their bats going. A Dylan Gorski (Whitestown, N.Y./ Whitesboro) single led off the rally that saw Raymond Smith(Staten Island, N.Y./ Tottenville) and Joseph O'Rourke (Camden, N.Y./ Camden)  deliver clutch RBI singles to put the Wildcats ahead 4-2. Alex Helenek (Troy, N.Y./ Niskayuna) took it from there as he delivered 3 scoreless innings to end the game and pick up the seal on the mound. 

Blake Phillips took the loss for the Bison pitching 7 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs off 6 hits while Mitchell Bensman went 3-4 for the hosts at the plate.

Game two was just the opposite as the Wildcats jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in through the first two innings. 

It was senior lefty Jeff Albright' s (New York Mills, N.Y./ New York Mills) turn to deal on the mound for the Wildcats as he threw a masterful 6 innings for the Wildcats striking out 5. Albright found himself in a bases loaded jam in the 7th inning however with a 5-1 lead and the Bison threatening. The visitors turned the ball over to senior Joe Redmond  (Stone Ridge, N.Y./ Rondout Valley) who was able to ultimately shut the door and pick up his 4th save of the year. 

The WIldcats again got production from Joe O'Rourke who went 2-4 with another RBI and Dante Rose (Utica, N.Y./ Notre Dame) who went 1-1 with a walk and stole 3 bases in the game. 

Dylan Hayes went the distance for the hosts as he pitched all 7 innings allowing 5 hits and 5 runs.