Clarkson Powers Past UR In Liberty League Tourney Opener

More news about: Rochester

TROY, NY – Clarkson University pounded out 17 hits, including two home runs, to power past the University of Rochester baseball team 17-1 in the opener of the 2015 Liberty League Baseball Tournament at RPI's Robison Field.

The loss puts Rochester (26-15) into the losers bracket to face the RPI/RIT loser on Friday while Clarkson (24-7) gets the winner in the afternoon winners bracket game.  The Liberty League Tournament is a double-elimination format so every game Rochester plays from here on out is an elimination game.

Clarkson got the scoring started in the bottom of the 3rd inning.  Greg Jasek ripped a 2-run double to left.  He would then come in to score on a wild pitch during the next at bat.

The game would get blown open in the fifth when the Golden Knights exploded for five runs on three hits, highlighted by a Nolan Driscoll grand slam off of UR starter Evan Janifer.  Driscoll's home run was his 2nd of the season.  Clarkson would then boost the lead to 10-0 behind its second home run of the day, this one coming as the 2-run variety from Paul Ludden.

Rochester's Brendan Garry would put the Yellowjackets on the board in 7th with a leadoff solo home run.  The homer is the seniors 10th of the season and moves him into sole possession of 3rd in a single season at Rochester.  It was 12th of his career, moving him to 7th among Rochester's all-time leaders.  Garry was a bright spot in the UR lineup, finishing 2-for-4 with a double, home run and RBI.  Catcher Nolan Schultz recorded the other two hits for the Yellowjackets, finishing 2-for-3.

The Golden Knights would stay hot at the plate, scoring five more runs in the 7th and two in the 8th to reach the 17-1 score.

Clarkson freshman starter Will Coleman pitched strong for the Golden Knights, tossing 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Jamie Terry pitched the final two innings and didn't allow a hit.

Rochester's scheduled opener on Friday in the elimination game is slated for 9:30 am.  If Rochester wins, the Yellowjackets will play in a second elimination game at 4:30 for the right to move on to the championship round to be played on Saturday.