The Ithaca College baseball team defeated St. John Fisher College 9–7 May 15 to win the Empire 8 Championship title. They got to the title game after defeating Utica College 5–4 May 13 and falling to St. John Fisher College 5–2 May 14.
The Bombers got off to a quick start in the winner-takes-all game against the St. John Fisher Cardinals, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Freshman right fielder Sam Little got things started with an RBI single down the left field line to score Junior second baseman Josh Savacool.
The following inning, Savacool doubled shortly after a single by Boresta, each of whom later scored on a single by junior designated hitter Ryan Henchey.
The Bombers offense continued to play well in the fifth inning, as they scored another three runs to increase the Bomber lead to 6–2.
St. John Fisher tripled in the fifth to score another run before scoring on an RBI groundout. The Cardinals tied things up at six in the sixth inning with an RBI single followed by a solo home run.
The Cardinals scored another run in the seventh to take a one-run lead, but the Bombers came storming back in at the top of the ninth inning.
Junior first baseman Trevor Thompson secured a crucial walk in the ninth inning, loading the bases for the Blue and Gold. Freshman catcher Adam Gallagher flied out to center field, but sophomore Brennan McCormack was able to score from third base after pinch running for Thompson.
With the bases loaded and the game on the line, freshman shortstop Cam Fuoti grounded out to end the inning. The Cardinals failed to secure a walk-off victory in the bottom of the ninth.
In the tenth inning, Savacool stole second base in a crucial move to give the Bombers a chance to take the lead. Junior Ryan Dougherty pinch hit for freshman first baseman John Peterson and delivered a clutch RBI single to score Savacool and put the Blue and Gold up 8–7.
Little then came to bat and hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which scored Dougherty to seal the victory.
The day before, the Bombers offense struggled to gain any sort of momentum against the No. 1-ranked Cardinals. St. John Fisher was hot to start the game, as they scored four runs in the first four innings.
The Blue and Gold put forth their best efforts in the fifth inning, as a fielder’s choice scored Boresta before a pop-out from Savacool scored Gallagher. The Cardinals sealed things away in the eighth inning with a one-run double.
The Bombers’ offense only managed to scrape together nine hits while striking out four times. The team did, however, walk five times in the game.
The Blue and Gold managed a narrow victory over the 9–24–1 Utica College Pioneers on May 13. The Bombers scored all five of their runs in the first two innings and relied on solid pitching to hold the Pioneers off for the rest of the game.
Gallagher started things off for the Blue and Gold with a two-run single that scored sophomore center fielder Domenic Boresta and Little. Savacool knocked another single down the left field line to score two runners before freshman third baseman Webb Little hit another single to extend the lead to 5–0.
The Pioneers mounted a comeback in the third inning, as they scored three runs in the third and one run in the sixth. The team ultimately fell short, due in large part to the success of the Blue and Gold pitching staff.
Senior pitcher Benji Parkes went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Senior Ryan Contegni came on in relief to throw 3.1 innings without allowing a run, while also striking out three batters.
The Bombers finished the season with a 27–15 record and will wait to see if they earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship.
