HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 1, 2017)  – Seniors Zeph Walters and Nolan Bennett struck for two-out, run-scoring singles in the ninth as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team defeated the Ithaca College Bombers, 4-2, Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 Conference game. 

Sophomore Danny Poidomani struck out nine over six innings as the Ducks (10-9-1) moved over .500 for the first time this season. The victory extended the Stevens winning streak to five and moved the Ducks to 4-0 in Empire 8 play. Ithaca fell to 7-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.

"Solid win today to start off the series," head coach Kristaps Aldins said. "Poidomani did what he's done all year - giving us a chance to win and we were able to string together some quality at-bats in the top of the ninth to grab the lead.

Michael Mule' started the rally with a leadoff single and moved to second on Shaye Bartnick's sacrifice. After Alex Detweiler grounded out, moving the senior outfielder to third, Walters poked a senior to right off Jack Morello (1-1) to give the Ducks a 3-2 lead. Freshman Corey Natofsky pinch-ran for Walters and promptly stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Pinch-hitting for Patrick Rood, Bennett calmly drove a Jack Morello (1-1) down the right field line, scoring Natofsky, giving the Ducks a two-run cushion.

Stevens jumped in front in the first on Detweiler's second home run of the year. After Bartnick's one-out single, the junior jumped on a Morello offering and drove it well over the wall in right center to give the Ducks an early lead. Detweiler, who missed the 2016 season due to injury, has driven in seven runs over his last four games.

Given an early lead to work with, Poidomani, the sophomore left-hander went to work, allowing only Josh Savacool's third-inning solo homer and an unearned run in the fifth. The Rochelle Park, New Jersey native extended his Empire 8 leading strikeout total to 60.

Sophomore Ryan Larsen (1-2) earned his first career win, striking out five over two scoreless innings. Charlie Ruegger pitched a perfect ninth for his third save of the season.

Up Next: The Ducks and Bombers meet for a Sunday doubleheader to round out their three-game series. First pitch for game one is scheduled for noon.

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