New Paltz, N.Y. -- The 24th-ranked baseball team defeated New Paltz 17-2 on Wednesday. Ithaca improves to 10-3 on the season, and has won five straight. The Bombers' 17 runs matches their season high.

The win gave the Bombers their largest margin of victory since a 20-5 win over Montclair State last May; their 18 hits are the most since that game as well. Every starter as well as five bench players registered a hit for Ithaca. Leading the offense was senior Rob Litz (Walkill/Walkill), who went three-for-seven with two runs scored and two RBIs. Current Empire 8 Player of the Week Eric Ferguson (Columbia/East Greenbush) knocked in three runs, while sophomore Josh Smith (Pulaski/Pulaski) scored three of his own. Kyle Rutherford (New Milford/New Milford, Conn.) went two-for-four with two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Picking up the win for Ithaca was Ryan Mays (Clinton/Clinton), who pitched three innings allowing only one run after starter Adam Brown (Greece Athena/Rochester) threw four innings of one-run ball as well. Ithaca's patience paid off in the fourth inning, when four walks led to seven runs.

Ithaca's next contest comes this weekend, when the Bombers open their conference schedule with four games over two days at St. John Fisher. Play begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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