DAVENPORT, FL - The Utica University baseball team began its Florida trip with a series sweep with the Muhlenberg College Mules in what was a pair of low scoring affairs. Muhlenberg took the first game 2-1 while Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) tossed a complete game shutout in game two, propelling the Pioneers to a 3-0 win. 
 
Game 1
The first game of the doubleheader served to be a pitcher's duel while the difference was made in the 3rd inning. 
 
After two quiet frames from both Utica and Muhlenberg, the Mules struck first in the top of the 3rd. With one out and bases loaded in the inning, a fielder's choice gave Muhlenberg the lead and set up runners on the corners with two away. During the ensuing at-bat, the Mules were able to pull off a double steal of second and home for a 2-0 advantage. 
 
The Pioneers responded with a run of their own in the home half of the 3rd by way of a two-out Joe Battista (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) single that scored Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro), making it a 2-1 game. 
 
Utica starting pitcher James Roeschlaub (Auburn, NY/Auburn HS) and Muhlenberg starter Quinn Rovner returned to form in the 4th inning as Roeschlaub escaped the top of the inning in four batters while Rovner faced the minimum in the home half. The Pioneers had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the 5th with John Son (Mellville, NY/Half Hollow Hills) at the dish and Michael Muentener (Fairview, NJ/Cliff Side Park) at third base with two away. However, Rovner fanned Son to end the frame and maintain the lead. 
 
The Pioneers were blanked at the dish over the final two innings as the Mules held on for a 2-1 win. Roeschlaub (1-1, 1.56 ERA) tossed five innings of four-hit, two-run ball with three strikeouts. Brian Dinnen (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) pitched the final two innings for Utica, allowing no runs on one hit with three strikeouts and no walks over seven batters faced. 
 
At the plate, Battista, Crossley and Shamariah McCullough (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth Regional) were responsible for each of the team's three hits in the game, recording one a piece. 
 
Game 2
Sophomore Ryan Cardone (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) made his first start of the season in game two against Muhlenberg and tossed a gem in doing so. 
 
Through four innings, Cardone faced 15 batters in which he allowed two hits and struck out seven Mules. Utica's offense was also held to two hits through the first four frames with the score still 0-0. 
 
The Pioneers led off the 5th inning with a single by Dom Fasolo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro ) but he would be stranded as the next three hitters were retired in order. Cardone went on to pitch a quick 5th inning allowing one hit while retiring the side in order in the 6th with a pair of strikeouts to take the game into the 7th still scoreless. 
 
Cardone was given runs in the top of the 7th and final inning. With one away in the frame, Steve Sclafani (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale HS) hit into a fielder's choice, which scored Joe Battista (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) from third, while the third baseman committed a throwing error on the play, allowing Matthew Fitzgerald (Clinton, NY/Notre Dame) to score to put Utica up 2-0. Three batters later, Michael Muentener (Fairview, NJ/Cliff Side Park) drove home Sclafani on a fielder's choice, giving the Pioneers a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. 
 
After being handed his first lead of the evening, the righty Cardone struck out the side to finish off the complete game shutout to give Utica the 3-0 win and the series split against Muhlenberg. 
 
Cardone (1-0, 0.00 ERA) allowed four hits in all and struck out 13 batters over 25 faced en route to the complete game shutout. At the plate for Utica, Battista, Fitzgerald, Fasolo and Nathan Yantz (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) each totaled one hit while Muentener and Sclafani finished with an RBI each. 
 
Utica (3-1) takes the field again tomorrow for a pair against Thomas College (ME) from Lake Myrtle Park (Field 4) in Auburndale, FL. First pitch for game one is slated for 3:15 p.m.