HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 12, 2022)  – Four pitchers combined to scatter seven hits over 16 innings as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team defeated The College of Mount Saint Vincent Saturday in a non-conference doubleheader at Dobbelaar Field. 

Junior Anthony Pron made his first career start and struck out six and combined with sophomore Jacob Buurman on a three-hit shutout as the Ducks won the first game 6-0. First-year Jordan Fisse came out of the bullpen in game two and struck out eight over five scoreless frames as Stevens claimed the nightcap 3-1. The Ducks opened the season with a pair of opening day victories for the second straight yet.

Andrew Geiger allowed an unearned run over five innings for Mount Saint Vincent and Jake Blinstrub had three hits as the Dolphins fell to 0-2. The contests marked the first meetings between the teams since 2011. Each of the six matchups in the 2000's, which were all won by the Ducks, have taken place in Hoboken.

"It felt great to be playing February baseball, especially in these conditions," head coach Kristaps Aldins said. "Today's sweep was highlighted by good pitching and some sound offensive situational execution by our lineup. Mount Saint Vincent is a well coached team that has improved dramatically over the past few years. They made us work hard throughout the day in both ends of the doubleheader. We go on from here and keep growing heading into a fun three-game series against a very strong William Paterson program."

A Third Team ABCA/Rawlings All-Region selection after posting a 2.22 earned-run average with seven saves, Pron (1-0) toed the rubber for his first collegiate start after 22 consecutive relief appearances. The Mullica Hill, New Jersey native needed just six pitches to get through the first inning, including a three-pitch strikeout of Dom Porto. He walked two over 6 2-3 innings to earn his third career win. 

Stevens provided Pron with all of the offense he'd need in the second inning of the 7-inning affair, stringing together five hits to score six runs. Junior Ben Tobio drew a four-pitch leadoff walk and moved to second after graduate student Hunter Silvernail was hit by a pitch. Senior Ryan Finegan dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line. Aidan Rice (0-1) fielded the ball and fired wildly to first, allowing Tobio to score from second on the play to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

Senior Chris Silos followed with another bunt down the third base line. Neither Rice nor third baseman Isidoros Bartziokas could make a play on the ball to allow the second run to score. Senior Brett Mendez made it three straight bunts with a sacrifice to move Finegan and Silos into scoring position. Junior Michael Reyes walked to load the bases and graduate student Thomas Paulich fouled off three straight pitches before stroking a single to center to plate both Finegan and Silos. Senior Ryan Wall singled to left to score Reyes from second and sophomore Johnny Albrecth singled to plate Paulich with the final run of the frame. Stevens sent 10 batters to the plate in the decisive frame and only two balls left the infield.

Pron took care of the rest.

The right-hander faced two over the minimum through four innings until the Dolphins threatened in the fifth. Sean Kennedy singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a groundout before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Facing trouble for really the first time all game, Pron beared down and struck out Jason Albert before inducing a weak grounder from pinch-hitter Joey DiNorcia to end the threat.

The Dolphins again threatened in the seventh. Pron hit a pair of batters sandwiched around a swinging strikeout of Kennedy. Jason Albert reached on a fielder's choice to end Pron's afternoon. Buurman came on in relief and quickly slammed the door on the Dolphins, striking out Jake Pierre on four pitches. 

Pitching was again the storyline in game two. Each side scored an unearned run in the first and then neither side scored until Stevens broke through in the sixth against reliever Joe Decandia (0-1). 

Tobio against jump started the offense, getting hit by an 0-2 pitch and stealing second. The fleet-footed catcher advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Finegan's sacrifice fly. Reyes plated an important insurance run in the eighth, scoring Finegan, who had reached on a leadoff single,  

Fisse (1-0) took over in the sixth for junior Ryan Shea, who settled down after a shaky start. The young right-hander allowed a single to the first two batters he faced, but was bailed out when Tobio threw behind Marte at second to pick off the Mount Saint Vincent third baseman. Fisse then induced a pair of swinging strikeouts to end the threat.

Fisse struck out the side in the eighth and then worked around a leadoff single to close out the victory in his collegiate debut. The Ridgewood, New Jersey native allowed just three hits and didn't walk a batter.

Silvernail finished 1 for 5 with a run scored in his Stevens debut after joining the program as a grad transfer from Lafayette College. 

The doubleheader marked the earliest start for Stevens baseball since at least 2000.

Up Next: Stevens heads to Wayne, New Jersey on Feb. 19 for a matchup with William Paterson University. The Pioneers have won each of the last two meetings between the teams.

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
#AllRise