PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (March 12, 2023) – Junior Jack Irby hit a pinch-hit, two-run, walk-off homer as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team defeated No. 11 Arcadia University 5-4 Sunday in MAC Freedom play at South County Regional Park as part of the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
 
The Ducks (7-5; 1-2) led for much of the game as they earned their first conference victory of the season. This victory was also their second over a ranked team this season. Arcadia (5-4; 2-1), who won both games yesterday, including a walk-off win in game two, dropped its first conference contest of the season.
 
Trailing by a run after Arcadia struck for two runs in the top of the ninth, sophomore Evan Pravato began the winning rally with a one-out walk off Hunter Sibley (0-2). Irby stepped to the plate in place of sophomore Colby Ching and drove a pitch well over the wall for his third career long ball to send the Ducks to victory.
 
Sophomore Joe Gonzalez (1-0) struck out the only batter he faced to earn the victory.
 
Irby's heroics were needed after Arcadia had another late rally. Emilio Pallante and Justin Massielo sparked a rally with consecutive two-out singles off junior Jacob Buurman. Anthony Bruno tied the game with the Knights' third straight single to left. A wild pitch allowed Massielo to score the go-ahead run.
 
Senior Chris Davis hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the fifth that kick started a two-run inning for the Ducks. First-year Dylan Fishbough walked in the next at-bat and stole second. Senior Ben Tobio grounded out to drive in a run and sophomore Victor Schilleci hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score another to give the Ducks a 3-1 lead.
 
Sophomore Jordan Fisse made his season debut and pitched a scoreless inning. Operating in a bulk reliever role, senior Ryan Shea struck out two across four effective innings. Sophomore Matt Villapiano and senior Anthony Pron combined for three shutouts innings as six different pitchers toed the rubber for the Ducks.
 
For the eighth time in 12 games, Stevens struck in the first inning. The Ducks started the game with back-to-back singles off the bats of senior Ben Tobio and sophomore Victor Schilleci. A fielder's choice allowed Tobio to come home with the first run of the game.
 
The Knights were able to score a run in the sixth and threatened for more. Ryan Smolen had a bases-loaded single through the right side as the first four batters of the frame reached. However, the Ducks' defense played a key role in not allowing more runs. Villapiano got Noah Stennett to foul out to first. Thomas Strauch grounded in a fielder's choice that resulted in a great play from Davis nab Bruno at home. Arcadia would leave three on base when Villapiano induced a flyout to end the threat.
 
Zach Steiger started for Arcadia and allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 1-3 innings.
 
Up Next: Baseball has a day off before taking the field again, as they take on No. 18 Denison University in the Snowbird Baseball Classic on Tuesday, Mar. 14, in Port Charlotte, Florida. This will be the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
 
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