Backed by an outstanding pitching performance from junior
Josh Schulman, the University of Rochester battled to a split doubleheader in Liberty League play against cross-town rival RIT on Saturday.
Schulman pitched eight innings of 1-hit ball in game two, leading Rochester (5-10, 2-4 Liberty League) to a 1-0 victory. The junior who took a no-hitter into the seventh walked only one and struck out five, including fanning three batters on 10 pitches in the 8th inning. Sophomore
Evan Janifer came in during the 9th, picking up his second save of the year.
Sophomore outfielder
Matt Todd drove in the only run of the ball game, scoring senior
Nate Mulberg on a single to left in the bottom of the third. Todd finished 2-3 in the game, the only player to earn multiple hits.
RIT starter Ethan Humbert was equally as strong on the mound, throwing six innings, allowing three hits, one run and walking two for the Tigers (5-4, 1-1 Liberty League). Ronnie Canestro and Phil Sammon picked up the base hits for RIT in game two.
In game one, junior Brandon Cohall scattered three hits over 6 1/3 innings to earn the victory as RIT rallied for a 4-2 victory.
Cohall retired 10 straight at one point and 16 of 18 while allowing only six men reached base in the game. He left in the final inning after a single by Rochester's
Brendan Garry and a one-out walk to
Brian Munoz. Brian Sheridan came in to pitch for the Tigers, but when Rochester pinch-hit for left-handed hitter
Josh Ludwig with right-handed hitter
Tyler DeClerck, the Tigers replaced lefty Sheridan with righty sidearmer Tyler Leichtenberger.
Down 0-2 in the count, DeClerck fought off a couple of pitches before lining the ball to the opposite field where Chris Barr made a spectacular diving catch to preserve the lead. Leichtenberger retired
Nate Mulberg on a comebacker to end it and earn the save.
Rochester was able to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Todd was hit by a pitch with one out. With Todd in motion, the next hitter
Nolan Schultz doubled to centerfield, scoring the runner. Schultz was then able to move to third when the ball was kicked away where he would score on a Garry groundout.
RIT scored a run in the third. Chris Barr doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice, and scored on Canestro's single to right. The Tigers then loaded the bases with one out before Rochester started
Michael Mondon pitched out of it. He caught Brett Kajganich looking and induced C.J. Bolorin to bounce out to first.
In the sixth, the Tigers broke through. Taylor Morgan singled and Matt Holtby was hit by a pitch. Barr bunted and reached safely when the throw pulled Mulberg off the bag. Zach Zabel forced Barr at second with Morgan scoring the tying run. Canestro then singled through the middle for two RBIs.
Mondon pitched 5 1/3 innings for Rochester, allowing nine hits, four earned runs, with one walk and three strikeouts.
Ethan McGowan pitched the final 1 2/3 innings without allowing a baserunner.
The same two teams are schedule for another doubleheader on Sunday, starting at noon at UR's Towers Field.
Â
