PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – Rochester's top half of the batting order produced 12 of UR's 14 hits in a 6-3 victory over Alfred State College on Wednesday evening at Towers Field.
UR improves to 16-13 with the win, while Alfred State falls to 15-15 on the season. Wednesday's game was originally scheduled to be played at Alfred State, but the Pioneers field was unplayable, necessitating the venue switch.
The Yellowjackets top five hitters all produced multi-hit affairs and scored all six runs. Zach Miraz led all players with a 3-4 day with an RBI and a double. Kyle Trombley was 3-5 a double and stolen base, while David Rieth, Jacob Matzat and Aiden Finish all finished with two hits.
Rieth had a solo home run, while Matzat and Trombley both added two runs scored. Joseph Rende also went 2-4 at the plate for Rochester.
On the mound, the Yellowjackets got a solid start from Trevor Van Allen. The first-year righty went six innings and scattered six hits and three runs while walking none and striking out seven. Tyler McConway tossed two scoreless innings of relief and Brendan Shamieh notched his fourth save of the season with a hitless ninth inning.
UR opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning after Van Allen breezed through the first three Alfred State batters on six pitches. Trombley doubled to right and was quickly singled in when Matzat lined a base hit to center. Matzat came around on a Miraz single to left which was then bobbled by the outfielder, allowing the 'Jackets to take a 2-0 lead.
Jack Henby hit a solo home run in the third inning for the Pioneers first hit of the game, trimming the lead in half.
Rochester got the run back in the next half inning, when Matzat scored from third on an errant throw after a failed pickoff attempt of Miraz at first base.
In the fourth Alfred State tied the game. With one out, Colin Johnson singled and moved to third when Connor Pingitore singled to right. A double-steal scored the first run and with two outs, Dan Woodward plated the second run of the inning, making the score 3-3.
Rieth provided what would be the game-deciding run with a solo shot to left, leading off the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Rochester added another run when Miraz singled in Finch who reached on a double to left. Finch added two 2-baggers to his career total in the game, extending his UR school record to 49 over his four seasons.
Van Allen escaped a jam in the sixth, stranding the tying runners on base, getting Woodward to foul out to left field with runners on the corners.
Trombley used his speed to produce UR's final run of the game in the seventh. He reached on an infield single to third, forcing a bad throw in the process to move up to second. After stealing third, the junior would score when a Matzat grounder to second was mishandled.
UR is in the middle of its Liberty League bye week this weekend, and will instead play a non-conference doubleheader at Brockport on Saturday afternoon.