Ithaca Takes Down TCNJ, 9-4, In Elimination Contest

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Ithaca left fielder Domenic Boresta finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI at the sixth-seeded Bombers eliminated third-seeded The College of New Jersey, 9-4, on the third day of the NCAA Division III Baseball New York Regional, hosted by Onondaga Community College. 

Ithaca (30-12) advances to take on second-seeded Southern Maine (32-12) with the winner advancing to Sunday's final day to take on top-seeded Oswego (31-8). 

The College of New Jersey started the game with back-to-back singles by center fielder Thomas Persichetti and third baseman Patrick Anderson. Shortstop Zachary Shindler scored Persichetti, who advanced to third on Anderson's hit, with an infield ground-out before left fielder Zachary Simon hit a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Anderson for the 2-0 lead. 

In the bottom of the first, Ithaca first baseman Webb Little was hit by pitch before shortstop Trevor Thompson drew a walk. Third baseman Ryan Henchey hit a two-out single to right that scored Little and advanced Thompson to third. Henchey stole second before designated hitter Andrew Bailey walked to load the bases. Catcher Adam Gallagher drew another walk to bring home Thompson before left fielder Domenic Boresta knocked a two-run double to right field for the 4-2 Bomber lead. 

In the bottom of the third inning, Henchey walked and later stole second before Gallagher brought him around with a two-out single to right center that made it a 5-2 Ithaca lead. Thompson led off the bottom of the fifth inning by hitting a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence to make it a 6-2 Bomber advantage. 

The College of New Jersey got one back in the bottom of the sixth. Shindler singled to left center to lead off the inning before advancing to third on back-to-back infield ground-outs by designated hitter Alex Christian and Simon. Shindler then scored on a chop-single by catcher C.J. Gearhart to make it a 6-3 deficit. 

The Lions plated another run in the seventh after starting with back-to-back walks to pinch hitter Austin Lindsay and Persichetti. Anderson loaded the bases with a single to right, before a balk brought home Lindsay to pull The College of New Jersey within two, 6-4. 

Ithaca tacked on three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Boresta led off with a nice bunt single down first base line and advanced to second after center fielder Matt Carey was hit by a pitch. Ithaca loaded the bases after Savacool reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt that was mishandled by the Lion infield. Web Little brought home Boresta and Carey with a single to centerfield before Sam Little hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Savacool. 

Ithaca starting pitcher Logan Barer (2-0) earned the victory, allowing four runs on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. Relief pitcher Matt Eiel earned his first save of the season, only allowing one hit over the final 2.2 innings. Lion starter Brandon Zachary (3-4) was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs on six hits with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.