UR baseball defeated arch-rival Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Friday after first-year Randy Davis (PH) delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning at UR’s Towers Field.
UR came out swinging in the first innings of the game, taking a 3–0 lead over their opponents. First-year Benjamin Garber (RF) began the scoring by launching a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second inning.
Graduate student Josh Leadem (CF) increased the lead in the bottom of the third when he laced a single to right field, chasing home two runs on a throwing error by RIT’s right fielder.
With the score at 3–0 in UR’s favor, RIT scored in the fifth when RIT junior Roberto Reade (DH) homered to center field. Next, in the sixth, junior Charlie Slaymaker (3B) singled to left and scored junior Calean Kim (CF). Reade next flew out to left and scored junior Jarin Moses (2B) with a sacrifice fly.
RIT continued their rally in the seventh when sophomore Isaac Braegalmann (C) walked and senior Randy Dodig (SS) bunted for a single. Next, Moses drove a ball out of the park to left field, scoring all three of them.
With the score now 3–6, UR responded with a four-run seventh inning, beginning with a solo home run from senior John Corcoran (C). Next, senior Alexander Gonzalo (3B) hit a sacrifice fly to center field and scored graduate student Jackson Reed (2B). Back-to-back singles from Leadem and Garber scored Sammy Besztery and Colby Cruser respectively and gave UR the lead.
RIT tied the game in the eighth when Dodig singled to right field, scoring sophomore Dorian Stroud (PR), and UR was unable to retake the lead in the bottom of the eighth.
The game remained tied through the top of the ninth, setting UR up for a walk-off situation in the bottom of the inning. Following a groundout to shortstop by Cruser, Gonzalo doubled to left. RIT elected to intentionally walk Leadem with an open base to set up the double play, though their pitcher next threw a wild pitch, advancing the runners. With another open base, RIT intentionally walked Garber. With the bases loaded, Davis then pinch hit for Gregory and delivered the game-winning hit by scoring Gonzalo.
UR next played at RIT in a Liberty League doubleheader on Sunday.
