NORFOLK, Va. – The Ithaca College baseball team opened its 2018 season with a split in Virginia on Saturday. Ithaca lost its morning game to Brockport, 4-2, at Virginia Wesleyan, but rebounded to defeated Alfred State, 6-2, on First Colonial High School in the afternoon.

BROCKPORT 4, ITHACA 2

The Bombers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI groundout by junior Sam Little that plated classmate Webb Little. W. Little reached on a one-out single and then moved to third on a double by junior Andrew Bailey before scoring.

Brockport tied the contest at 1-1 in the bottom of the third on an error and then added another run in the fifth on a fielder's choice. Ithaca committed three straight errors in the frame to allow the run to score.

IC tied things up in the top of the seventh on a single by W. Little to drive in sophomore Marco Fontana from third base.

The Golden Eagles would regain the lead in the bottom of the eighth, 4-2, with a pair of runs, which was the eventual final score. The first run came home on a double, and then after a sacrifice bunt, walk and stolen base, a single brought in the second run.

W. Little went 3-for-5 in the contest with a run scored and RBI, while junior Adam Gallagher was 2-for-4. Fontana, Bailey, and juniors Cam Fuoti and Jake Generali all recorded hits in the loss.

Junior Jake Binder earned the opening game start and tossed six innings in a no decision. Binder allowed four hits and two unearned runs with three strikeouts.

Senior Robby Buffis took the loss in an inning of relief, as he surrendered two runs on three hits in an inning pitched. Sophomore Tom Cosentino and junior Matt Eiel combined to throw the final inning of relief.

ITHACA 6, ALFRED STATE 2 (7 innings – game called due to darkness)
A box score for this game will be added later.

Alfred State took a 1-0 edge in the top of the third, but the Bombers erupted for four runs in the bottom half of the inning on three hits to take a 4-1 lead. W. Little started the rally with a one-out single and scored on a two-run double by junior Matt Carey, which also plated Bailey after he reached on a walk.

An error prolonged the inning, and then Generali stroked a double to score Carey and Gallagher.

IC tacked on another run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from W. Little with Fuoti on third. Fuoti found his way to third by way of a lead-off triple.

Alfred State cut its deficit to 5-2 in the sixth, but IC answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh to end the contest after the game was called due to darkness.

In the bottom of the seventh, Gallagher led off with a double and eventually scored after three walks to Generali, freshman Jack Lynch and W. Little, who was credited with the RBI.

Senior Tyler Hill, who made his first start since the 2016 season, earned the win in five innings pitched. Hill allowed just two hits and one run with six strikeouts.

Senior Chris Marinaccio tossed the final two innings and gave up one run on a hit.

Ithaca concludes its Virginia trip tomorrow morning with a 10 a.m. game against Virginia Wesleyan.