MCLA tripped up by SUNYIT in doubleheader

Chester, NY- The MCLA Baseball team traveled to Chester, NY and the Rock Sports Park to challenge the SUNYIT Wildcats this afternoon.  The Trailblazers fell in the opener 8-3 and couldn't push a run across in game two, falling 1-0 in the nightcap.  With the losses, MCLA has now lost six straight to fall to 1-9 on the season.  The Wildcats improve to 5-7 overall.

In the opener, MCLA took a 2-0 lead after scoring single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings.  Chase Preite scored on Tyler Benoit's double to right center field, however MCLA would leave the bases loaded and fail to capitalize.  JT Ferraro led off the 4th with a single and would score on an error making it 2-0.

MCLA starter Ross Miner was cruising into the 4th until a pair of infield singles began the frame.  Miner was lifted after a walk loaded the bases.  Relief pitcher Cody Weaver would collect a pair of strikeouts, however he allowed a run to score on a wild pitch and then yielded a two out two run single from Devin Frye to take a 3-2 lead. 

MCLA would tie it after Joe Duncan singled and stole second with one out.  Alon Willing would bring him around with a single to left field making it 3-3.  SUNYIT would push ahead though, as the Wildcats would cross the plate twice in the 5th to seize control.  The inning began with an error, and after a sacrifice bunt yielded an out, a walk put runners on 1st and 2nd for Anthony Ragosta.  He would single to load the bases.  After a strikeout, Joe O'Rourke came up clutch with a two run single.

The Wildcats would put the game out of reach with three more runs in the sixth inning to earn the victory.  MCLA outhit the Wildcats 12-8, however they were doomed by leaving 12 runners on base, including 11 in the first five innings.  MJ Hajec earned the win for the Wildcats tossing the final three frames.  Weaver was tagged with the loss.

Game two was a different story as MCLA's Tyler Benoit and SUNYIT's Daniel Wiecek were locked in a pitchers dual. 

The Wildcats scored the lone run in the first inning as Jim Sass came around to score on O'Rourke's single.  Chandler Evans was gunned down by Duncan to prevent another run from scoring.

MCLA couldn't muster much offense off of Wiecek.  The right hander tossed all seven innings yielding just 5 hits and striking out 7 Trailblazers.  MCLA did have opportunities to score.  A leadoff runner in the sixth inning was erased on a pickoff, and then the Trailblazers had the would be tying run thrown out at home in the 7th.

Benoit was the tough luck loser going five innings and surrendering 5 hits.  He struck out 4.

MCLA will open MASCAC play on Friday when they challenge Fitchburg State University.