Cortland, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly baseball team dominated the SUNY Canton Kangaroos, securing a pair of victories with scores of 16-6 in game one and 19-9 in game two. While many Wildcats contributed to the team's success, it was Ryan Pelton who made history. Pelton hit his record-breaking 11th home run in game two and became the first player in program history to hit for the cycle. With the sweep, the Wildcats improve to 4-8 on the season.

GAME ONE:

The game began with SUNY Canton jumping out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. After a leadoff single, the Roos loaded the bases and capitalized on a two-RBI double, putting them in control early.

However, the Wildcats responded immediately, putting up six runs in the bottom of the first. Masaki Brey reached on a walk, and Ryan Pelton was hit by a pitch to set the table. Key defensive mistakes from Canton, including a fielding and throwing error, allowed the Wildcats to capitalize on unearned runs. By the end of the inning, SUNY Poly had taken a 6-3 lead.

The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas, adding three more runs in the second. Derek Menechino's two-run homer extended the lead to 9-3. From there, the Wildcats' offense continued to capitalize on Canton's mistakes, consistently adding to their lead.

The next two innings were quiet on both sides as both teams' pitchers began to settle in. But in the fifth inning, the Wildcats' bats exploded once again. Brody Liddy, Masaki Brey, Colin Williams, and Derek Menechino each drove in runs, pushing the score to 16-3.

Canton made a brief comeback attempt in the sixth, scoring a few runs off a Bradley Mills single and a Mark Maybee double, narrowing the deficit with a sacrifice fly. However, SUNY Poly's defense and pitching held firm, and the Roos couldn't rally further. The Wildcats finished strong, sealing the 16-6 victory.

GAME TWO:

The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board in game two, capitalizing on a fielding error by Canton. After Masaki Brey reached base, Ryan Pelton drove him in with a double. The Wildcats then added four more runs in a rally that featured key hits from Luke Landis, Derek Menechino, and Christopher Martin, putting SUNY Poly ahead 5-0 after the first inning.

Canton responded with one run in the bottom of the first, as Sal Diaz scored from third on an RBI single by Bradley Mills. But the Wildcats answered in the second, scoring four more runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Menechino, to extend their lead to 9-1.

The third inning saw even more offense from SUNY Poly, as they added five runs. A string of singles from Pelton, Landis, and Menechino drove in runs, and Brody Liddy added a two-run single. By the end of the third inning, the Wildcats led 14-6.

Canton made another push in the third, scoring a few more runs, but the Wildcats continued to build on their lead, adding three more in the fourth inning and tacking on additional runs as the game went on.

The game's highlight came in the late innings when Ryan Pelton made history. His 11th career home run set a new SUNY Poly record, making him the program's all-time leader in home runs. Pelton also became the first Wildcat to hit for the cycle, an accomplishment that cemented his place in program history. His historic performance helped propel the Wildcats to a 19-9 victory.

"The offense had a breakthrough day today, followed by strong defense and solid performances from our relievers," said head coach Paul Ludden. "It was great to sweep a doubleheader and get back on the right foot before conference play starts this weekend. A huge shoutout to Ryan Pelton for breaking the home run record!"