Coming off an 11-4 victory over Brockport on Wednesday, the University of Rochester baseball team resumed their conference portion of their schedule as they were set to host Skidmore for a Friday evening doubleheader. Rochester would go 1-1 on the evening, losing the first game 3-1 and winning game two 5-4.

It was a pitcher's duel in the first game, as both teams were scoreless through the first four frames. The Yellowjackets sent senior Jack Denzer to the mound, looking to keep their undefeated conference record alive. Denzer threw five innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits, striking out three in the process.

Skidmore opened up the scoring in the top of the fifth on a single to right. Rochester would answer in the bottom of the sixth, as Aiden Finch ripped a single through the right side to bring Jake Hertz all the way home to tie the game at one.

The game would not be tied for long, however, as Skidmore added a pair in the top of the seventh, winning by a final score of 3-1.
Skidmore picked up right where they left off to start game two, scoring two runs on a double to left. Finch would narrow the gap to 2-1 on a single to left in the bottom of the first to bring Jack Herman home safely.

Skidmore would add another run in the top of the third to make it 3-1. UR would make it a one run game again in the bottom of the sixth. With Herman on first, Jacob Matzat crushed a single to right, and deep enough that Herman was able to make it all the way home from first to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

In the top of the 8^th, Skidmore jumped all over Dan Agate's pitch, hitting it off the scoreboard to make it a two run game again.
Needing to get something going in the bottom of the 8^th, David Rieth walked to start the inning. After a Herman pop up, Finch crushed the first pitch he saw to center, one hoping the fence for a ground-rule double to give the Yellowjackets runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with just one out. With Luke Polson now pinch-running for Finch, Steve Pickering stepped up to the plate with a chance to tie the game for Rochester. Pickering proceeded to single up the middle, bring both Polson and Rieth home and the game was tied at four. Pickering would go on to steal second and third to give Rochester the go-ahead run just 90 feet away from home. A pitch in the dirt that was out of the catcher's reach allowed Pickering to score with ease as the Yellowjackets had their first lead of the night at 5-4.

Herman came in to pitch the ninth. After striking out the first two Skidmore hitters, Herman got the final batter to fly out to right, securing the one-run victory.

Rochester improves to 8-7 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Agate picked up his first collegiate win, while Herman earned his first career save.

Pickering led the way for Rochester offensively in game two, going 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Finch also had a pair of hits in four trips to the plate and an RBI. Herman went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored.

Rochester will play Skidmore in another double header tomorrow afternoon, with the first game starting at noon.