AURORA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Wells College on Tuesday, as the Soaring Eagles rebounded from 3-0 shutout in the early game and cruised to a 16-1 win in the nightcap.

In the opener, Wells tallied three runs in the top of the first inning, and that was all Express starter Brandon Shirley needed. The southpaw threw 6.0 innings of one-hit ball and struck out 10 EC batters. Shirley carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, until Bryce Plante '18 snapped the no-no with a lead-off single.

Elmira's Blake Phelps '19 went pitch-for-pitch against Shirley after the opening frame, as he allowed only three Express players to reach base after the first. However, in the first, Wells scored on an error, a one-run double, and a groundout to take a lead it would never relinquish.

The Soaring Eagles looked like a completely different team at the plate in the nightcap. The Elmira bats exploded to record season highs in runs (16) and RBIs (12), while tying its single-game best with five extra-base hits en route to the 16-1 blowout victory.

Highlighting EC's offensive effort was outfielder Dennis Rudolph '18. Just days after playing hero in a walk-off victory over Utica College, the junior from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, had a record-setting night by not only hitting the first two home runs of his collegiate career, but also becoming the first Soaring Eagle to blast multiple homers in a single game. Rudolph also equaled his career high and tied Elmira's single-game record by driving in five runs.

The Purple and Gold wasted little time erasing any memories of their poor performance at the dish from game one. In the top of the first, Jack Thistle '18 lined a one-out triple into the gap in right center and came around to score on an infield single by Dylan Bellinger '17. Rudolph then followed with the first of his two opposite field dingers, which put the Soaring Eagles ahead, 3-0.

Elmira scored three more in the third to extend its lead to 7-0, with all three runs scoring on Rudolph's second homer. EC made it a rout by tacking on three more in the fourth inning, four in the fifth, and two in the top of the seventh.

Earning the victory on the mound in the nightcap was Joe Kidd '18. The junior right-hander picked up his first win of the season after surrendering just one run on four hits while striking out a game-high four.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Corey Paluga on how the team responded from the loss in game one to earn a lopsided victory in game two…
"The team's ability to respond after the first game shows our ability to refocus and turn the page after a loss. In game on, we only had one poor inning defensively. Shirley pitched an excellent game and controlled the tempo. After our lack of offense in game one, it was great to see our team respond to the challenge in game two. We got quality a pitching performance from Kidd and the bullpen, and our offense clicked much better."

Coach Paluga when asked about Dennis Rudolph's two home runs…
"Rudolph's home runs are nice statistically, but I was more excited for him to make an adjustment after the first game, in which he struggled. The fact that both were hit well to the opposite field is a greater success."

Inside the Box Score (Game One)

• Both teams finished with just three hits.
• Cameron Heggie '18, Will Jenkins '18, and Plante each had one hit for EC.
• Plante also stole one base.
• Phelps earned the loss after giving up three runs on two hits and four walks in 5.0 innings.
• Scott Logue '20 tossed one scoreless inning in relief for the Soaring Eagles.
• Shirley was spectacular for the Express, giving up just one hit while fanning 10 in 6.0 innings of work.

Inside the Box Score (Game Two)

• Elmira scored 16 runs on 13 hits.
• Wells tallied one run on five hits.
• The Express committed a total of five errors.
• Eight different Soaring Eagles had at least one hit.
• Bellinger finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
• Rudolph went 2-for-5, both hits being home runs, and he collected a game-high five RBIs.
• Bellinger, Thistle and Rudolph each scored three runs.
• Kidd allowed one run in 4.0 innings and struck out four batters to earn the win.
• Corey DeMauro '20, Anthony Colegrove '18, and Nick Cottone '19 each threw a scoreless inning of relief.
• Wells used five pitchers in game two, with Jared Strait taking the loss after giving up three runs in the first.

News and Notes

• Elmira's record remains at .500 on the season at 4-4.
• EC is 1-1 all-time against Wells after splitting the first two meetings on Tuesday.
• Kidd's win on the mound was the second of his collegiate career, and the first since May 2, 2015.
• Rudolph set a program record by hitting two homers in game two.
• Rudolph also tied the single-game record for RBIs with five, the second time in his career he has done so.
• Bellinger's three hits, three runs, and three RBIs are all season highs.
• Joey Florio '20 and Sam Plaugher '20 each recorded their first career hits.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will travel to Houghton, New York, for an Empire 8 Conference series against the Highlanders of Houghton College this weekend. The first game is scheduled for Friday, March 31, at 6:00 p.m.