SANFORD, FL – The University of Rochester and New York University were locked in a slugfest with NYU ultimately edging out a 14-13 victory at the University Athletic Association Tournament at Sanford Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Rochester (1-2, 1-2 UAA) slugged out 14 hits, but the Violets (3-3, 2-1 UAA) pounded out 17 of their own to emerge with their second straight win and second ever win in UAA play.
Senior Brendan Garry and junior Nolan Schultz were the stars offensively for Rochester. Garry was 2-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, a career high 6 RBI and two walks. Schultz went 4-4 with a solo homer, 2 runs, 2 RBI and was hit by a pitch. Senior Josh Ludwig also finished with 3 hits, 3 RBI, 2 runs and a stolen base.
Five NYU players had multi-hit affairs with Adrain Spitz leading the way going 3-5 with, 2 doubles, 2 runs and 2 RBI. CJ Picerni was 3-4 with a triple, three runs and an RBI.
The game was played back and forth with NYU jumping out to an early 3-0 lead after one inning. Rochester responded with the Schultz solo shot in the 2nd.
In the 5th, Rochester plated four runs. Jake Meyerson led off with a walk and was sacrificed to 2nd. A Ludwig walk was followed by Garry's home run, his second of the season, over the left field fence. Schultz then singled and was driven in after a Dan Warren double, putting the 'Jackets up 5-3.
The Violets would respond in a big way in the bottom of the inning though, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs to grab a 12-5 lead. Christian Pellegrino, Spitz, Michael Vokulich, Jake Smith and Jonathan Iaione each provided RBI hits in the frame.
UR would then step up in the sixth and rally again, plating five more runs to pull within two at 12-10. A walk, single and fielding error loaded the bases with none out. Ludwig then doubled in two runs and Garry plated two more with a line drive single to center. Schultz provided the fifth run of the inning on a sacrifice fly, scoring Garry.
The 7th inning saw Rochester tie up the score at 12-12. Sam Steele led off with a walk and reached third after a Meyerson double. Todd provided a sac fly and then Meyerson would scamper home after the relay to the plate was thrown away by NYU.
The Violets would grab another lead in the bottom of the 8th, scoring two runs on a David Wagner sac fly and a Jeremy Wayne single.
Rochester was able to threaten in the 9th, getting two on with one out. Todd walked was driven in by a Garry grounder that was bobbled by the shortstop. After a strikeout and a hit by pitch, Warren ended the game flying out to left with the bases left loaded.
Pitchers for both teams struggled all day with command. There were a combined 11 walks, 3 wild pitches and 4 hit batters. David Strandberg started for UR and went 4.2 innings, giving up 8 hits and 7 runs with 3 strikeouts. Rob Mabee (1-0) took the loss, giving up two runs (1 earned) in the 8th for Rochester.
NYU's started was Vokulich who went 5 innings and gave up 7 hits, 5 runs and 3 walks and had 1 strikeout. Reliever Matthew Wells picked up his first win and Matthew Millus notched his 3rd save of the year.
The Yellowjackets return to the field on Tuesday to take on defending UAA co-champion Case Western Reserve at 2 pm.