CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — The Keuka College Baseball team earned an Empire 8 Conference split with Elmira College on Monday in a doubleheader played at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua.  

Keuka College (6-8-1, 1-2-1 Empire 8) dropped the opener to Elmira 4-3 but rallied in the nine-inning nightcap 12-6.

Elmira College 4 at Keuka College 3

The Soaring Eagles capitalized on a leadoff double in the top of the first, but the Wolves had a quick answer. Nick Brown (Liverpool, N.Y. / Liverpool) worked a one-out walk and then moved to third as a pickoff throw went wide and down the right field line. He would score on a Ryan Seales (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs) groundout to tie the game at 1-1.

The lead was short-lived as Elmira got one back in the top of the second, but the Wolves answered in the bottom of the third, with two runners on, Josh Tryon (Elmira, N.Y. / Thomas A. Edison) hit one where the shortstop opted to go for the runner going to second. Ryan Seales was too fast and beat it out. In the attempt to get Seales, Elmira threw the ball away allowing Matt Vaccaro (Fayetteville, N.Y. / Fayetteville-Manlius) to score and tie the game.

Elmira College added two more in the fourth. Ryan Seales hit an RBI single up the middle for the Wolves in the fifth to draw the margin to one, but he was then caught stealing to end the inning. Keuka College got the tying run to second base in both the sixth and seventh but was unable to score them as Keuka fell in the opener 4-3.

Lead Wolves: Relief pitching played a big role in the game. Tre Slawson (Genesee, Pa. / Northern Potter) pitched two innings of scoreless relief, striking out three. He was followed by Cade Dick (Depew, N.Y. / St. Joseph Collegiate Academy) who retired all four batters he faced, three by the strikeout.

Keuka College 12 vs. Elmira College 6

Elmira College had three RBI singles in the top of the first but the Wolves responded with singles of their own in the bottom of the inning. Keuka College had their first seven batters single, resulting in four runs for the Wolves. Then, following a sacrifice bunt, Jimmy Griffin (Syracuse, N.Y. / East Syracuse-Minoa) hit a two-run double to give Keuka College a 6-3 lead after the first.

The Soaring Eagles took advantage of a Keuka error in the top of the second inning, but the Wolves answered right back in the bottom. The Green and Gold plated three runs on wild pitches, capped by RJ Murphy (Syracuse, N.Y. / West Genesee) scoring from second on a wild pitch. Jimmy Griffin then delivered another RBI hit for the Wolves as Keuka opened a 10-4 lead.

The game then moved into the hands of some skilled relievers on both sides. Elmira tightened the game in the sixth with two runs, but the Wolves got them back in the seventh. Keuka College would see the game out for the 12-6 conference victory.

Lead Wolves: As mentioned and seen in game one, the relievers did an excellent job for Keuka in game two. Kole Schmerder (Vestal, N.Y. / Vestal) took over in the second and pitched a career-high four innings. He allowed three runs, but none were earned while striking out seven. He was followed by Quinn Toomey (Berne, N.Y. / Berne-Knox-Westerlo). Toomey pitched the final four innings, also a career-high. He allowed only two hits while striking out three in his scoreless innings of work.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College is now 7-6-2 all-time against Elmira College
• The loss in game one snapped Keuka's four-game winning streak at home, but the Wolves are 5-2 all-time in home games against Elmira
• It was a career-high in strikeouts for both Slawson and Dick in game one and they were followed by career-highs in strikeouts for Schmerder and Toomey in game two
• Game two was the first career victory for Kole Schmerder and first career save for Quinn Toomey
• 12 runs in game two were the second-most in a game this season for the Wolves
• Nick Brown went 4-7 on the day with two hits in each game. He also scored three runs and worked a pair of walks as well
• Jimmy Griffin went 3-4 in the nightcap against the Soaring Eagles. He had a pair of singles and a double. The senior drove in a career-best four runs in the game

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will step outside of Empire 8 play tomorrow to face an old rival. It will be the true home opener at Kuhl Field as Keuka College hosts SUNY Poly in a single nine-inning game. First pitch between the Wolves and Wildcats is set for 3 p.m.