PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The University of Rochester baseball team pounded out a total of 27 hits over two games, but was only able to salvage a doubleheader split against St. John Fisher University on Sunday afternoon at Towers Field.
St. John Fisher was able to win game one by a 10-6 score, before the Yellowjackets responded with a 14-5 drubbing in game number two.
The split doubleheader moves Rochester to 5-9 on the season, with the visiting Cardinals now 3-10 overall in 2024.
Game 1: St. John Fisher 10, Rochester 6
The Cardinals used a pair of big hits to power to the victory, as Brian Norsen clubbed a grand slam in the second inning, while later on in the eighth, Mario Cubello produced a 3-run shot.
After a scoreless opening inning, St. John Fisher scored five runs in the top of the second to grab the big early lead. Nicholas Lemire was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to score the first run before Norsen smacked his shot over the center field fence to make the score 5-0.
UR was able to get on the board in the second also, with Alexander Gonzalo scoring on a 2-out bloop double from Dylan Stezzi.
In the fourth, Rochester batted around and scored four runs to pull even on the scoreboard. With one out, a Luke Blozy double started a strong of four straight base hits to fuel the rally. After a Stezzi single, Sammy Besztery singled to right to plate Blozy before Jackson Reed doubled to left for two more runs. Another out preceded an RBI base hit from Alec Ellison, as the score moved to 5-all.
The Cardinals regained the lead quickly though, as a wild pitch plated the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth.
St. John Fisher remained in front by one until Cubello's big blast over the left center field fence put the Cardinals up 9-5 in the top of the eighth.
In the ninth, St. John Fisher added to its lead with a Norsen RBI single.
UR looked to rally in the bottom half of the ninth inning, but was only able to muster a single run on a Reed infield single.
The game was a tale of missed chances by both teams, as UR and St. John Fisher combined for 28 baserunners left on base, 14 for each squad.
On the mound, the Cardinals Hunter Walsh finished off the final five innings to earn the win, striking out three while only allowing one run.
For Rochester, Colby Cruser got the start and gave up five runs over his 1.2 inning outing. He struck out three. Magnus Sivertson was saddled with the loss giving up one run over 2.2 innings. Jack Subramanian and Thomas Blaydes finished off the game for Rochester.
At the plate, seven Rochester players finished with multiple hits, led by Stezzi's 3-for-5 effort. He had a double, RBI and run scored. Reed finished with two hits and three RBI Blozy reached base four times, recording two hits and two walks while scoring twice.
Game 2: Rochester 14, St. John Fisher 5
Rochester's Besztery had a monster game in the night cap, lacing a pair of inside-the-park home runs, one of which was a grand slam to lead the Yellowjackets.
Overall, UR plated a run in six of its eight times up to bat in game two, scoring multiple runs in four of those innings.
The game started out fast, with both teams scoring three times in the first. Dominic Guccia provided the big hit for St. John Fisher, lining a bases-loaded double to right, putting the Cardinals up 3-0.
During the bottom half, a throwing error on an Ellison sacrifice bunt scored two UR runs, with Josh Leadem driving in Ellison with a double to left.
In the second, Ellison provided another RBI hit, driving in two with a single to center.
Besztery's first inside-the-parker boosted UR's lead to 6-3 in the fourth. The friendly confines and deep right center field gap at Towers Field saw the first-year hit a line drive that skipped all the way to the wall, allowing him to circle the bases.
Leadem's second double of the game made it 7-3 Rochester an inning later. The senior scored on a wild pitch shortly after to put the 'Jackets in front by five.
St. John Fisher cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the sixth, but a Cardinal throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt in the bottom of the inning allowed the Yellowjackets to get one of those runs back.
Up 9-5 in the seventh, the bases were loaded for Besztery, and the first-year ripped another line drive, this time to center field which scored four runs. The Cardinal center fielder attempted to dive and catch the ball, but missed completely, leading the hit to roll all the way to the wall again. Besztery's speed allowed him to slide home safely well ahead of the relay throw.
Ellison completed the scoring with another hit, singling in Reed.
Besztery finished with 2 hits, both homers, with 3 runs and 5 RBI. Reed was 4-for-5 with a double and four runs scored. Ellison provided 3 singles, 3 RBI and 2 runs.
UR used three pitchers in the win. Sammy Rosenfield started and went 3.1 innings. He allowed three runs (2 earned) with 6 walks and 5 strikeouts. Mark Aaronson picked up the win in relief, surrendering 3 hits, 2 runs and 2 walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three in moving to 2-0 on the year. Justin Grossman finished off the victory with two scoreless frames at the back end.
Rochester has nearly a full week off before its next game, set for next Saturday against St. Lawrence University. That contest opens a three-game series with the Saints and serves as UR's Liberty League conference opener.