The Keuka College Baseball team tied its season-high with 15 runs in an Empire 8 victory over Elmira College.
Carlos Fantauzzi (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Canandaigua Academy) led Keuka College (12-19, 6-13 Empire 8) with four hits, including two triples and four runs driven in. Kyle Wood (Newark, N.Y. / Newark) also had four RBIs for the Wolves on a double and a triple. Zach Keck (De Soto, Mo. / De Soto) went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with a pair of walks as well for Keuka.
The Soaring Eagles put their leadoff batter on in the top of the first, but a 6-4-3 double play with Alex Evans (Liverpool, N.Y. / Liverpool), Tyler Lewandowski (Milltown, N.J. / Spotswood), and Derek Novicki (North Haven, Conn. / North Haven) turning two to end the inning.
The Wolves took advantage of their leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first. Alex Evans reached on a dropped fly by the Elmira centerfielder and advanced to third on the play. Kyle Wood followed with a double to score Evans and give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.
The Wolves quickly added to their lead in the second inning with Kyle Wood again in the middle of it. The Green and Gold loaded the bases as a Zach Keck single was sandwiched by walks from Ian Ruhmel (Horseheads, N.Y. / Horseheads) and Alex Evans. Kyle Wood came up with the bases loaded and drove a ball to the left centerfield fence, clearing the bases with a triple to make it 4-0. Carlos Fantauzzi followed with a single up the middle as the Wolves extended their lead to 5-0.
Elmira College got on the board with a run in the third, but the Wolves put together a two-out rally in the fourth. Derek Novicki doubled to start the rally. He scored on a single by John Valinoti (Babylon, N.Y. / Babylon). Tyler Lewandowski followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Valinoti and Lewandowski scored on a single by Ethan Drinon (Middleburgh, N.Y. / Schoharie) to make it 8-1.
Keuka College jumped out for six runs in the fifth inning. Zach Keck led off with his third single of the game. A pair of walks loaded the bases, and Carlos Fantauzzi brought them all home with a bases-clearing triple. A groundout and two walked in runs capped the inning for the Wolves as they led 14-1.
Elmira College plated three in the sixth and three more in the seventh to stay in the game. The Soaring Eagles added a run in the eighth, but the Wolves matched that as a Carlos Fantauzzi triple was followed up by a Derek Novicki RBI single.
The Wolves retired the Soaring Eagles in the ninth in order to secure the conference victory.
KC Notes:
- The Wolves won the season series with Elmira College, improving to 11-11-2 all-time against the Soaring Eagles
- Keegan Ferris (Elbridge, N.Y. / Jordan Elbridge) went six innings to earn the win. He struck out a pair while allowing just four hits
- Ferris won his fifth game of the season, tying for second-most in program history. He has been the leader for the Green and Gold with 58 innings pitched, fourth-most in a season
- With his two triples, Carlos Fantauzzi moved into sole possession of second place on the Keuka College career triples list. He also swiped a bag to move into second for career stolen bases at Keuka College with 27
- Zach Keck had a career day for the Wolves with his first three-hit game. The senior delivered hits in each of his first three at bats before working a pair of walks in his final two appearances
- Mason Smith (Corning, N.Y. / Corning-Painted Post) struck out four batters in two innings of relief work for the Wolves
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will take a step outside of Empire 8 play for the final time on Wednesday as Keuka College hosts Hilbert College in a doubleheader. First pitch from Kuhl Field is set for noon.
