Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly baseball team saw its season come to an end on Monday afternoon, falling to Keuka by a 6–3 final at home. With the loss, the Wildcats are eliminated from Empire 8 playoff contention and end their season with a final record of 15-17.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Both teams were held in check early, as neither side was able to push across a run through the first two innings. SUNY Poly picked up a hit in the second on a single from Jackson Mackenzie, but could not capitalize.
Keuka broke through in the top of the third inning in a big way. After loading the bases with three consecutive singles, Derek Novicki delivered the decisive blow with a grand slam to right field, giving the Wolves a 4–0 advantage.
The Wildcats looked to respond in the bottom half of the inning, as Chris Baker worked a walk and Johnny Yamin followed with a single, but a double play ended the threat and kept SUNY Poly off the board.
Keuka threatened again in the fourth after reaching on an error and advancing a runner to third, but SUNY Poly's defense held firm to prevent further damage. The Wolves added to their lead in the sixth inning, using a pair of hits to set up an RBI single to make it 5-0.
SUNY Poly struggled to generate consistent offense through the middle innings, despite multiple baserunners. The Wildcats put together a promising rally in the fifth with singles from Jackson Mackenzie and Derek Menechino, but were unable to bring a run across.
The Wildcats finally broke through in the seventh inning. John Leonard doubled to right field and later came around to score on an RBI double by Will Orlando, cutting the deficit to 5–1.
Keuka answered right back in the eighth, capitalizing on an error and an RBI single from I. Ruhmel to extend the lead to 6–1.
SUNY Poly made one final push in the bottom of the eighth. Chris Baker and Johnny Yamin each singled to start the inning, and Luke Landis drew a walk to load the bases. John Leonard then delivered a clutch two-RBI single to left-center, scoring Baker and Yamin and trimming the deficit to 6–3. However, the rally stalled there, leaving two runners on base.
In the ninth, SUNY Poly was retired in order, as Keuka closed out the game and secured the 6–3 victory.
