ITHACA, N.Y.--Ithaca (7-11, 4-2 Empire 8) opened its home schedule Saturday by splitting a doubleheader with Utica (5-11, 1-1 Empire 8). The Pioneers took the first game 2-0, with the Bombers winning the second 9-3. The two teams return to action Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Bombers took an early lead in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the first and three more in the second. In the opening frame, junior Rob Zappia (Greece Athena/Rochester) drew a one out walk, with Ithaca getting consecutive singles from senior #T.J. Abone# (Rome Free Academy/Rome), junior David Ahonen (Victor/Farmington) and junior Trevor Wolf (Lansing/Freeville) to go up 2-0. After a strikeout, freshman Matt Keller (Pelham/Pelham) drove in a pair of runs on a base hit to right. He scored on a double from junior Jarrod Surine (Trumansburg/Trumansburg).

Surine finished 3-for-6 over the two games. Ahonen and Wolf each picked up a pair of hits, with Wolf picking up three runs batted in the second game. Abone, Rosenbaum and Wolf all picked up steals on the day.

In the second inning of the second game, sophomore Mike Rosenbaum (Fayetteville-Manlius/Fayetteville) scored on a double from Zappia and an infield throwing error. Zappia scored on a sacrifice fly from Abone, and Wolf drove in Ahonen on a single to right.

Junior Dan Lynch (Williamsville South/East Amherst) threw a complete game to earn the second game win. He did not allow an earned run over his seven innings. He struck out five while walking just two.

Classmate Aaron Sapp (Niskayuna/Niskayuna) also threw a complete game, allowing just one earned run in the opener. He struck out four. The Pioneers pushed an earned run across in the sixth inning of game one, and scored an unearned run in the seventh.

Surine picked up both Bomber hits in the first game.

Game one box score

Game two box score