Ithaca, N.Y.--Ithaca (15-16) dropped a game to Division I Cornell (18-20), falling 12-7 to their cross-town rivals. The Bombers are 14-6 in New York Region play this season, and close their Empire 8 schedule with a pair of weekend doubleheaders against Rochester Institute of Technology.

The bottom third of the Ithaca lineup scored six runs and had five of the team's seven hits. Sophomore Mike Preite (Hopkinton/Hopkinton, Mass.) went 2-for-3 in the game, scoring and driving in a pair of runs. Senior Jon Krakower (The Berkshire School/Albany) also had a pair of hits and two runs scored. Freshman Matt Keller (Pelham/Pelham) also crossed the plate twice.

The Bombers first scored in the third, plating tow runs to tie the score at 2-2. A Krakower double and a Keller walk put the first two batters on, and a double steal moved both runners into scoring position. A wild pitch scored Krakower, and Keller scored from third on a stolen base attempt by senior #T.J. Abone# (Rome Free Academy/Rome).

Trailing 8-4 in the sixth, Ithaca cut the lead to just one with a three-run inning. Krakower singled and Keller walked, and the pair again moved up on a double steal. Preite singled up the middle to drive in both, and came around to score on a double from Abone.

Cornell scored once in the sixth and three more times in the seveth to extend its lead.

Action on Saturday and Sunday is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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