CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Ithaca College baseball program notched a five-run ninth inning to come away with a 9-5 victory at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Tuesday afternoon at Arce Field in Claremont, Calif. With the win, Ithaca evens its record at 4-4, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps falls to 4-14.

C-M-S took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first on four hits. The Stags loaded the bases on three straight singles, but lined into a double play to end the threat of a possible multi-run frame.

The Bombers answered with a run in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly from freshman Sam Little that brought in classmate Matt Carey. IC manufactured the run without a hit in the inning – two walks and an error.

C-M-S regained the lead in the bottom of the second on a squeeze after its lead-off hitter reached on a single, stole second and moved up to third on a ground out.

Ithaca's deficit grew to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run double from C-M-S; however, the Bombers tied the contest up with three runs in the seventh.

In the three-run inning, Ithaca loaded the bases on a single from sophomore Domenic Boresta and walks to junior Josh Savacool and senior Ryan Henchey. Junior Trevor Thompson then drove in Boresta with a base hit and Bailey brought home Savacool. On the Bailey single, Henchey also scored on a throwing error.

The lead would go back to the Stags in the next half inning, 5-4, with two outs on a single up the middle that scored a runner from second. C-M-S would load the bases on the next plate appearance, but a groundball ended the inning.

Ithaca captured the comeback victory with a five-run ninth on five hits and two errors.  

Henchey led off with a walk and moved up on a wild pitch. He would come home as Bailey belted a ground-rule double to centerfield to tie the game at 5-5 with one out. After a single by Carey placed runners at the corners, Carey stole second and an error allowed Bailey to score on the throw down. Freshman Webb Little ripped a triple to right-center to bring home Carey, and Cole followed with an RBI single to give the Bombers an 8-5 lead. S. Little was up next and drove in Cole on another triple to cap off the rally.

Senior John Prendergast earned the start and pitched two innings in his first appearance in over a year after suffering a season-ending injury last spring. Prendergast tossed two innings and allowed two runs on five hits.

Junior Logan Barer entered in the third inning and threw 4.2 innings of relief. Barer allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out one batter.

Bailey earned the win in 2.1 innings of action and went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI.

The Bombers drew nine walks in the game, including three issued to Henchey. Eight players recorded at least one hit and seven scored one run or more.

Ithaca heads to Whittier College tomorrow for a doubleheader in Whittier, Calif. at 11 a.m. PST.