BOXSCORE

The College at Brockport's baseball team lost for just the third time in 10 games, dropping a tough 2-1 contest to Rochester Institute of Technology Thursday afternoon at the Clark V. Whited Complex in Brockport.

 

Sophomore Stephen Boronczyk (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) drove in the Golden Eagles' (18-9 overall) lone run on an RBI groundout in the fourth inning. RIT scored the go-ahead run on a two-out RBI single in the eighth, and despite putting runners on second and third base in both the eighth and ninth innings, Brockport couldn't push across the tying run.

 

RIT (8-11) scored a run in the first inning, but after surrendering a one-out single in the frame, sophomore starting pitcher James Bardenett (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) recovered and did not allow a hit over the next four innings.

 

Every time Bardenett got into trouble, the Brockport defense, including Bardenett, came to the rescue. With a runner on first and one out in the second, Bardenett fielded a comebacker and started an inning-ending double play.

 

After issuing a leadoff walk in the third, junior Corey Booth (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley) snared a line drive and converted the double play. RIT's next batter, Justin Smith, reached when he was hit by a pitch, but Smith was caught stealing at second to end the inning. Bardenett allowed one run on five hits in his five innings, walking three while striking out three Tigers.

 

Relievers James Williamson (Mexico, NY/Mexico) and Justin McCarthy (Mohegan Lake, NY/Lakeland) held RIT at bay, throwing two scoreless innings of one-hit ball while striking out three.

 

Brockport tied it up in the fourth. Booth hit a leadoff single — his second base hit in as many at bats — but was out at second on a fielder's choice from senior Max Zimmerman (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville North). Junior Anthony Siracusa (Auburn, NY/Auburn) laced a single into right field to advance Zimmerman to second, and freshman Kyle Tracy (Plainview, NY/Bethpage) loaded the bases on a single up the middle. Boronczyk tied the score on an RBI groundout to the third baseman.

 

The Tigers retook the lead on a two-out, RBI single to left field in the top of the eighth.

 

The Golden Eagles tried to rally in the home half of the eight. Senior Max Keado (Troy, NY/Catholic Central) drew a one-out walk and later stole second base. Booth reached on a single to third and then stole second as Brockport put runners on second and third with two outs, but RIT's Charles Yarrington got a groundout to end the Golden Eagles' threat.

 

Siracusa led off the ninth with a single up the middle, and junior pinch-runner Mike DeGregory (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) advanced to third on Tracy's sacrifice bunt. With the tying run just 90 feet away, Boronczyk was hit by a pitch. Boronczyk was replaced by senior pinch-runner Jake Privitera (Brockport, NY/Brockport), who stole second to give Brockport runners at second and third with just one out. But Yarrington used a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.

 

Booth finished 3-for-4, Tracy was a perfect 3-for-3 and Siracusa was 2-for-4 for Brockport, which out-hit RIT 9-8.

 

Brockport returns to action with a doubleheader at Medaille College beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The Golden Eagles will also host New Paltz at Noon on Easter Sunday.