PORT
CHARLOTTE, Fla.
(March 12, 2007) – Sixth-ranked SUNY Cortland used some timely hitting and pair of solid pitching performances to sweep a doubleheader from the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team on Monday at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Red Dragons took the first game 3-0 and then posted a 9-4 win in the second game. With the losses, the Ducks fell to 2-5 on the year.
In the first game, Cortland senior Jimmy Dougher (
Liverpool, N.Y.
) tossed a complete-game shutout to lead the Red Dragons to the win. Dougher scattered four hits and struck out seven batters over seven innings to improve to 2-0 on the year. Junior Anthony Coromato (Utica, N.Y.) and senior Travis Robinson (Ilion, N.Y.) had two hits apiece for
Cortland
.
Junior Scott Picerno (
Bayonne, N.J.
) was saddled with the loss despite allowing just six hits and three runs in five innings of work. Picerno struck out two batters as he fell to 1-2 on the season. Junior Mike Ivey (
Budd Lake, N.J.
) pitched one scoreless inning in relief. Senior Andrew Tesoriero (
Dunedin, Fla.
) went 2-for-3 in the game for the Ducks. Senior Eric McCormick (Edison, N.J.) and junior David Katusa (
Franklin
Township
, N.J.) had one hit apiece.
Cortland (5-0) opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning as Robinson and senior Dan Maycock (
Utica, N.Y.
) reached base to lead off the frame. Robinson came around to score on a fielder's choice later in the inning. The Red Dragons added two insurance runs in the fifth. Coromato drove in one run on a bunt single with two outs. Robinson added a clutch two-out triple to plate Coromato with the third run of the game.
Stevens had two real opportunities to score. In the second inning, the Ducks put two runners on with two outs, but sophomore Dan Silva (
Boonton Township, N.J.
) grounded out to end the threat. In the fifth, McCormick led off with a drag bunt single. Katusa followed with a sacrifice bunt. McCormick advanced all the way to third on the play. Silva followed with a hard-hit line drive that junior Matt Vitalone (
Rome, N.Y.
) caught for the second out. Freshman Mark Rasulo (Irvington, N.Y.) tried to reach base on a bunt attempt, but he was thrown out at first by junior catcher Mike Zaccardo (
Irondequoit, N.Y.
).
In the second game, senior Adam Sandt (
Allentown, Pa.
) collected two hits to lead the Ducks, but it was not enough as Stevens dropped its third straight game. Freshman Russ Grimes (
South Brunswick, N.J.
) added a double and two runs batted in. Freshman Eddie Daniele (Colts Neck, N.J.) walked twice and scored two runs in the losing effort.
Sophomore Bill Jennings (
Southampton, N.J.
) took the loss as he allowed seven hits and six runs in three innings of work. Freshman Gerald DiMaso (
Holmdel, N.J.
) pitched two innings in relief. He surrendered one run without giving up a hit.
Senior Mike Zgorzelski (
Troy, N.Y.
) picked up the win as he allowed four runs while scattering five hits over four innings. Coromato sparked the offense once again with two hits (including a triple), two runs scored and two RBI. Junior Sean Caughey (
Cortland, N.Y.
) chipped in with two hits and scored one run.
After falling being 6-0, Stevens pushed across two runs in the bottom of the third as sophomore Joe Gunshor (Ridgefield, Conn.) led off with a double. Daniele followed by drawing a walk. A single by Sandt loaded the bases with no outs. Junior John Frustaci (
Franklin
Lakes
, N.J.) picked up an RBI with a fielder's choice ground ball. The Ducks added their second run of the frame when Tesoriero reached on an error with two outs.
Trailing 8-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, Stevens pushed two runs across. Daniele got things started by drawing a leadoff walk. The Ducks loaded the bases with no outs once again as Sandt singled and Frustaci walked. Grimes followed with a two-run double to right-center. With runners at second and third and still no out, junior Nick Serio (
Bedford Hills, N.Y.
) came out of the bullpen to retire the next three batters to squash the Ducks' rally.
Stevens will be back in action on Tuesday when it takes on
Central
College
at 2:30 p.m.
