ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College baseball team split its Empire 8 Conference doubleheader with Stevens Institute of Technology on Sunday afternoon at Freeman Field. Ithaca won the opener, 4-3, on a walk-off, but dropped the back end of the twin bill, 7-2. Ithaca is now 8-6 on the season, while Stevens is 8-9.

GAME ONE: Ithaca 4, Stevens 3

The Bombers opened up Empire 8 play and their home opener in dramatic fashion, as they scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk-off with the victory.

Stevens jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out single to left field. The Ducks' second batter of the game beat out an infield base hit and then stole second. He moved up to third on a groundout before coming home.

In the bottom of the second, Ithaca placed two runners in scoring position after a base hit from junior Jake Generali (sophomore Marco Fontana came in as a pinch runner) and a hit by pitch to junior Adam Gallagher. A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance with one out, but the next two batters for IC struck out to end the threat.

The Bombers put another runner into scoring position to lead off the bottom of the third as senior Domenic Boresta singled and advanced to second on an error. Boresta then moved up to third on a wild pitch, but he was left stranded.

Stevens added two runs in the top of the seventh inning to extend its lead to 3-0. The Ducks led off with a single, and after a sacrifice bunt, drew a walk to put two runners on. A stolen base put both runners in scoring position, and then both runners scored on an infield error.

The Bombers walked-off in the bottom of the seventh inning with four runs on three hits and an error. Junior Matt Carey started the rally by reaching on a hit by pitch with one out. Junior Cam Fuoti followed with a single up the middle to place runners on the corners, and then Boresta was plunked to load the bases.

Junior Webb Little put the Bombers on the board with a line drive single to right field to bring home Carey and freshman Jack Lynch, who pinch ran for Fuoti. The base hit knocked Stevens' starter Charlie Ruegger out of the game.

After the pitching change, junior Andrew Bailey drove the first pitch offering to right-center to tie the game at 3-3 as Boresta scored. An intentional walk was then issued to junior Sam Little, and with two outs, a groundball off the bat of Gallagher was booted to give the Bombers a 4-3 win.

Junior Matt Eiel earned the win in relief for Ithaca in 2/3 of an inning for his first victory of the season. Eiel retired both batters he faced in just seven pitches.

Senior Jack Morello started the game for the Bombers and tossed 6.1 innings. Morello allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts in the no decision.

GAME TWO: Stevens 7, Ithaca 2

Errors plagued the Bombers in the nightcap, as six of them led to four unearned runs.

The Ducks once again scored the game's opening run with a one-out double to right-center in the top of the fifth inning. A lead off error came around to score after a stolen base and passed ball moved the runner over the third base.

The inning continued with a hit by pitch and single to load the bases. After that, a fielder's choice brought in another run to extend Stevens' lead to 2-0. Stevens left the bases loaded as another fielder's choice ended the frame.

In the top of the sixth, Stevens broke open the game with five runs to take a 7-0 lead. The Ducks benefitted from three walks and two errors by the Bombers defense. Back-to-back singles scored three of Stevens' runs in the inning, while a bases loaded walk and error brought in the other two runs.

In the bottom half of the sixth, Ithaca loaded the bases with one out, and cashed in on the opportunity as S. Little singled through the right side to bring in two runs – Boresta and W. Little – and cut Stevens' lead down to 7-2.

The Bombers threatened to chip away at their five-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh as Fuoti singled and Boresta followed with a double. W. Little then stepped to the dish and ripped a shot down the right field line, but Stevens' first baseman snagged the line drive to end the inning.

Junior Jake Binder took the loss in five innings pitched. Binder gave up three hits and three runs (one earned) and struck out four batters. Seniors Robby Buffis and Chris Marinaccio, and sophomore Tom Cosentino combined the throw four innings of relief.

Ithaca and Stevens wrap up the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.