HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 18, 2023) – Sophomore Eli Somers hit a key three-run homer to spark a massive seven-run fifth inning for the Ducks as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team defeated Wesleyan University (CT) 11-1 Tuesday night in a non-conference matchup at Dobbelaar Field. 

The home run was the first of Somers' career. The Ducks (22-10) recorded nine hits and had ten RBI on the day. They scored ten runs across the fifth and sixth innings to blow open the game. 20 Ducks featured in the game for head coach Kristaps Aldins. Wesleyan (10-13) held tough through the first half of the game but were unable to keep things together for the whole game. They have lost four of their last five.

The Cardinals scored their lone run of the game in the top of the first inning. Ernie Little had an RBI on a fielder's choice.

Stevens managed to score a run in the bottom of the first to tie things up. With two outs, senior Michael Reyes drew a walk and then stole second. Junior Christian Krieser then skied a ball into the windy Hoboken air that was lost by the Wesleyan second baseman which allowed Kreiser to reach and Reyes to get to third. The two then executed a double steal to tie the game.

Neither team was able to do any damage from the second inning through the fourth.

The Ducks blew the doors off the Cardinals in the fifth inning as they scored seven runs. After sophomores Evan Pravato and Victor Schilleci walked, Somers drove a ball into the wind to right field, which may have hit the apartments on Hudson Street on a non-windy day, as the Ducks took a 4-1 lead. The home side wasn't finished as junior Jack Stafford and senior Chris Davis each drew bases loaded walks to give the Ducks a five run lead. Pravato, batting for the second time in the inning, also added a two-run single as the Ducks maintained a commanding 8-1 lead after five innings.

Picking up where they left off, Stevens added three more runs in the sixth inning to gain a double digit lead. After Reyes walked to start the inning, Kreiser hit a ball to left field that ended up bouncing over the wall, giving the Ducks two runners in scoring position. Junior Jack Irby then emptied the bases by hitting his own double to left. Irby would later be brought home in the inning, as he made his way to third via a wild pitch, and to home on a sacrifice fly from Stafford.

Wesleyan only totaled two hits in the game, having one in both the first and second innings. The total was their lowest in a game this season. The two hits is tied for second least given up by the Ducks in a game this season.

First-year William Sotiropoulos (2-0) earned the victory in relief. He pitched four and a third, gave up no runs on one hit, walked four batters, and struck out three. Junior Jacob Buurman also had a solid outing out of the pen, striking out four batters in 1.2 innings of work. Graduate student Joshua Casado earned the start. He gave up one run on one hit in one inning of work

Wesleyan used seven pitchers in the game. Eddie Zanor (0-1) earned the start in the contest. He pitched four innings, allowing three runs on two hits. He walked and struck out five batters.

Up Next: Baseball hosts Lycoming on Saturday, April 22 in a MAC Freedom doubleheader. The teams will be playing a three game series, with game three of the series taking place in Williamsport, Pa. the following day. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m. and links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.