ITHACA, N.Y.— The Bombers (28-7) swept Stevens (19-19, 7-9) in an Empire 8 doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Ithaca won the first game 5-1 and the second game 5-4. The Bombers finish the Empire 8 season atop the conference with a 14-2 record. The games were also the final regular season contests at Freeman Field. Ithaca went 10-1 at home this season.

The first game featured a dominant pitching performance by junior Tom Fishback (Penfield/Webster). Fishback allowed just three hits, two walks, and one unearned run while completing his sixth game of the year. He struck out nine Ducks and now has a team-best 49 strike outs. Fishback is now 7-4.

The Bombers scored five runs with two outs in the fifth to support Fishback's effort. After consecutive singles by senior designated hitter Alan Kartholl (John Jay/Fishkill) and freshman catcher Conor Thompson (West Genesee/Syracuse), senior shortstop Kurt Bednarcyk (Fairport/Fairport) singled to give the Bombers a 2-0 lead. Bednarcyk advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a hit by senior second baseman Dylan Perez (Conval Regional/Peterborough, N.H.). Sophomore third baseman David Ahonen (Victor/Farmingdale) next missed a homerun by inches and settled for a double that hit off the top of the fence in left field. Perez and Ahonen came around to score on a hit by sophomore left fielder Matt Streich (East Greenwich/East Greenwich, R.I.).

Kartholl and Ahonen each went 2-for-3 in the first game.

The Bombers chipped away at the Ducks in game two, scattering 11 hits and scoring in four innings. Ithaca got on the board in the third inning. Bednarcyk led off the frame with a single. After stealing second, Bednarcyk scored on Ahonen's 32nd RBI of the year. Ahonen stole second and advanced to third on a single by designated hitter sophomore Trevor Wolf (Lansing/Freeville). Junior rightfielder #T.J. Abone# (Rome Free Academy/Rome) plated Ahonen with a sacrifice fly.

In the fourth, Perez knocked in Kartholl, who led off the inning with a single.

Wolf hit a leadoff double in the fifth and scored when Streich laid down a bunt in a suicide squeeze play.

After Stevens tied the game in the top of the sixth, Ithaca regained the lead by playing small ball. Junior Brian Grastorf (Niskayuna/Rexford) entered the game as a pinch hitter and drew and leadoff walk. He was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior center fielder Matt Samela (Staples/Westport, Conn.). Grastorf got to third on an infield hit by Bednarcyk and scored the game-winning run when Perez hit a sacrifice fly.

Freshman Tucker Healy (Needham/Needham, Mass.) improved to 3-0 by pitching 1.2 shutout innings in relief. Healy did not allow a hit and struck out three.

The Bombers finish the season on the road next week against Montclair State. Saturday's game begins at 2 p.m.
 

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score