Saratoga Springs, NY - From a quick glance at the box scores, it almost appears as if two Clarkson University Baseball teams showed up to play Skidmore on Friday, dropping the opener quietly 5-1 and rebounding resoundingly with a 15-3 win in the nightcap.
The Golden Knights maintained pace in the Liberty League playoff chase, moving to 6-8 in conference play (9-9 under conference make up rules) and 14-15 overall, while Skidmore went to 10-8 in the Liberty League and 18-12 overall. The two teams will look to gain an advantage against one another in another doubleheader on Saturday.
Though the Knights finished up game one on the losing end, they broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning on a solo home run by Brett Peplowski (Albany, NY), his fourth homer of the season. Skidmore responded when Matt Pisani homered in the bottom of the inning. The Thoroughbreds broke the game open with four in the bottom of the sixth inning and didn't need a final at bat in the seventh to perserve the victory.
Rick Bittner (Lancaster, NY) started the opener for Clarkson and pitched five-plus innings in taking the loss, allowing only five hits in his time on the mound. Nick Laracuente earned the victory for Skidmore.
Both Peplowski and Cale Giroux (Cortland, NY) went 2-for-2 in the first game for the Knights.
In game two, it was a different story offensively for Clarkson, as the Knights plated eight in the first two innings in cruising to the lopsided win. Clarkson pounded out 14 hits and took advantage of six walks allowed by Thoroughbreds pitchers, sending top starter Ed Reilly off the bump early. Sean Griffin (Walden, NY) went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and Brady Torbitt (Fulton, NY) was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Steve Magovney (Watertown, NY), Mike Bresett (Norwood, NY) and Peplowski each drove in two runs as well for Clarkson.
Greg Chojecki (West Seneca, NY) gained his fourth victory of the season, pitching to contact in his seven innings of work. Chojecki allowed seven hits and didn't walk or strikeout a hitter in the game, gaining his outs on the ground (nine) and in the air (12). Jordan LaClair (Morristown, NY) came on and pitched two solid innings as well for Clarkson, allowing two hits while striking out one.
