Offense leads baseball in sweep of doubleheaders

The Yellowjackets’ impressive showing this weekend, featuring two doubleheader sweeps of Hilbert College, Vassar College and Hartwick College, was due to baseball basics, according to Head Coach Joe Reina.”The pitching staff did well, defense made some good plays and the offense swung bats, that’s what made the difference,” Reina said of his team performance. In each phase of the game, the Yellowjackets excelled this weekend.UR pitchers only allowed two runs this weekend against Hilbert and Vassar. In a 7-2 victory against Hilbert in game one, freshman Hunter Hawkins pitched a complete-game five-hitter. In game two, a 12-0 UR victory over Hilbert, five UR pitchers combined to strike out eight in a one-hit shutout.In the next day’s doubleheader against Vassar, UR pitching held the Brewers scoreless. In game one, a 3-0 UR victory, senior Justin Sansone threw six innings of five-hit ball to earn the victory. Sansone’s performance earned him UAA Pitcher of the Week honors. Freshmen Brady Noon relieved Sansone to earn the save by getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the last inning.Against Hartwick, UR pitching was essential in two close wins. Noon picked up a victory in two innings of relief in the first game. Noon allowed Hartwick to tie the game, but pitched a scoreless seventh to seal a 6-4 UR victory. In game two, junior Mike Zollweg went the distance, striking out four batters in a 4-3 victory.Junior Joe Ullman followed Sansone’s performance with a pitching clinic of his own. Ullman struck out eight Vassar batters and only allowed three in seven innings of work. Freshman pitcher Walt Daley and senior pitcher Drew Clapp pitched to preserve UR’s 23-0 victory.The offense was in full force in both doubleheaders. Junior Justin Martinez and sophomores Dan Phofl and Mark Jackson each had two RBIs in game one versus Hilbert. Jackson’s two-run homer in the second game was a part of his game high four RBIs. Senior Mike Lesczinski had two RBIs of his own, while Martinez scored two runs.A classic pitcher dual between each clubs star was the focus of game one versus Vassar. UR managed to score come out on top by scoring three runs, two of which were driven in by freshman Jon Fanning. Junior Adam Braveman scored two of these runs as well.UR erupted for a season-high 23 runs in game two. Jackson, junior Scott Smith and freshman Nate Black had three RBIs in the game, while freshman Will Fasset also drove home two. Martinez had three hits and four runs in the game.Freshman Jon Fanning capped a strong week with two hits and three runs in the game. For the week, Fanning batted .520, including two doubles and two RBIs. Fanning was named the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association Rookie of the Week.UR offense wasn’t as strong in the Hartwick doubleheader, but were productive enough to win. Fanning continued his strong play with three RBIs, including a sacrifice fly that drove in Braveman to break a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning of the first game. The Yellowjackets used a balanced attack in game two with Jackson, Black, Martinez and Bravemen all driving in runs.Getting back to basics has created a six-game winning streak, giving UR an overall record of 18-6 and 6-2 in UCAA league play. UR will be on the road this weekend, traveling to Keuka College, Union College and Skidmore Colleges. Allard can be reached at dallard@campustimes.org.