SANFORD, FL - The University of Rochester baseball team kicked off the 2015 season with a 6-2 victory over Brandeis University to open play at the UAA Tournament on Sunday evening.
The Yellowjackets (1-0) got three runs in both the third and fifth innings and a solid pitching performance from Michael Mondon and two relievers to secure the win. Brandeis drops to 2-5 with the loss. It was the UAA Tournament opener for both squads.
The Judges nearly got on the board first in the second frame as a leadoff double from Ryan Pocock got things started. He was put out trying to head to third after the next batter, Greg Heinema, reached via FC to Mondon. After Heinema advanced to second on a wild pitch, Mondon got Connor Dolye to strike out swinging before Ryan Healy singled to short. The play, deep in the hole, was fielded by Steve Eychner who fired a strike to the plate to get Heinema was trying to score from second.
In the third, Brian Munoz led off with a double to right. Eychner then reached via error trying to sacrifice Munoz to third. Matt Todd singled in a run, and Josh Ludwig moved each runner up with a bunt. Eychner would then score on a passed ball and Nolan Schultz picked up an RBI when his ground out to short plated Todd.
In the fourth, Pocock got Brandeis on the board with a two-out home run to left field. UR was fanned three times in the bottom of the inning by Brandeis starter Kyle Brenner who went the distance allowing 10 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), 1 walk while striking out 10.
Brandeis kept the pressure on, scoring another run in the fifth, cutting the UR lead to one at 3-2. Liam O'Connor picked up an RBI after scoring Ryan Healy.
Rochester responded with the final three runs of the game in the bottom of the inning though. After a strikeout, Eychner singled and was promptly driven home by a Todd triple. After Ludwig singled to score Todd, Lance Hamilton would complete the scoring with a two out hit to center putting UR up 6-2.
Mondon, John Ghyzel and Evan Janifer would allow one Judges hit over the final four innings to seal the win. Mondon went six innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 runs while striking out 5.
Todd finished 2-4 with two runs and two RBI while Ludwig and Hamilton each added two hits and an RBI.
UR's next game in the UAA Tournament is against Washington-St. Louis on Monday at 11 am.