The Keuka College Baseball team tied its season-high with 15 runs in an Empire 8 victory over Elmira College.
Carlos Fantauzzi (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Canandaigua Academy) led Keuka College (12-19, 6-13 Empire 8) with four hits, including two triples and four runs driven in. Kyle Wood (Newark, N.Y. / Newark) also had four RBIs for the Wolves on a double and a triple. Zach Keck (De Soto, Mo. / De Soto) went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with a pair of walks as well for Keuka.
The Soaring Eagles put their leadoff batter on in the top of the first, but a 6-4-3 double play with Alex Evans (Liverpool, N.Y. / Liverpool), Tyler Lewandowski (Milltown, N.J. / Spotswood), and Derek Novicki (North Haven, Conn. / North Haven) turning two to end the inning.
The Wolves took advantage of their leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first. Alex Evans reached on a dropped fly by the Elmira centerfielder and advanced to third on the play. Kyle Wood followed with a double to score Evans and give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.
The Wolves quickly added to their lead in the second inning with Kyle Wood again in the middle of it. The Green and Gold loaded the bases as a Zach Keck single was sandwiched by walks from Ian Ruhmel (Horseheads, N.Y. / Horseheads) and Alex Evans. Kyle Wood came up with the bases loaded and drove a ball to the left centerfield fence, clearing the bases with a triple to make it 4-0. Carlos Fantauzzi followed with a single up the middle as the Wolves extended their lead to 5-0.
Elmira College got on the board with a run in the third, but the Wolves put together a two-out rally in the fourth. Derek Novicki doubled to start the rally. He scored on a single by John Valinoti (Babylon, N.Y. / Babylon). Tyler Lewandowski followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Valinoti and Lewandowski scored on a single by Ethan Drinon (Middleburgh, N.Y. / Schoharie) to make it 8-1.
Keuka College jumped out for six runs in the fifth inning. Zach Keck led off with his third single of the game. A pair of walks loaded the bases, and Carlos Fantauzzi brought them all home with a bases-clearing triple. A groundout and two walked in runs capped the inning for the Wolves as they led 14-1.
Elmira College plated three in the sixth and three more in the seventh to stay in the game. The Soaring Eagles added a run in the eighth, but the Wolves matched that as a Carlos Fantauzzi triple was followed up by a Derek Novicki RBI single.
The Wolves retired the Soaring Eagles in the ninth in order to secure the conference victory.
KC Notes:
- The Wolves won the season series with Elmira College, improving to 11-11-2 all-time against the Soaring Eagles
- Keegan Ferris (Elbridge, N.Y. / Jordan Elbridge) went six innings to earn the win. He struck out a pair while allowing just four hits
- Ferris won his fifth game of the season, tying for second-most in program history. He has been the leader for the Green and Gold with 58 innings pitched, fourth-most in a season
- With his two triples, Carlos Fantauzzi moved into sole possession of second place on the Keuka College career triples list. He also swiped a bag to move into second for career stolen bases at Keuka College with 27
- Zach Keck had a career day for the Wolves with his first three-hit game. The senior delivered hits in each of his first three at bats before working a pair of walks in his final two appearances
- Mason Smith (Corning, N.Y. / Corning-Painted Post) struck out four batters in two innings of relief work for the Wolves
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will take a step outside of Empire 8 play for the final time on Wednesday as Keuka College hosts Hilbert College in a doubleheader. First pitch from Kuhl Field is set for noon.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
