Baseball | 4/22/2011 6:36:39 PM

Click here for game one stats

Click here for game two stats

UTICA, NY - The RIT baseball team (9-12, 2-2 Empire 8) split a doubleheader at Utica College (3-20, 2-5) on Friday afternoon, winning game one, 12-0, then dropping game two, 6-2.  RIT scored 10 runs in the top of the fifth inning to break game one open, while Utica scored six times in the first two innings to win game two.

In game one, senior hurler Mike Marsillo (Scottsdale, AZ/Desert Mountain) threw a complete-game three-hit shutout to earn his team best fourth win of the season, and 17th of his career at RIT.  He was in complete command all afternoon, walking one, while striking out six batters.  It is his second straight shutout in Empire 8 play, after blanking Ithaca on April 3.

Marsillo's 17 wins are tied for fourth most all-time at RIT.

RIT slammed 12 hits, all singles, and drew 11 walks in the game one win.  Senior Justin Smith (Livonia, NY/Livonia) was 2-for-5 with three RBIs, a run scored, and stolen base to lead the way.  Ed Hughes (Jamesville, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.  Jon Meyer (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) walked three times and also scored three runs.  Ben Robertson (Mecklenburg, NY/Trumansburg) also walked three times.  Ronnie Canestro (East Amherst, NY/Nichols) drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers, who scored once in the first and third innings, before exploding for a season-high 10 runs in the fifth.

In game two, Utica's bats awoke, with four runs in the first and two in the second, giving them all the offense needed to earn the split.

Adam Bittel was 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Joe Sportsman and Terrence Reyes also drove in runs for the Pioneers.  Anthony DiSalvo and Alec Choleva had two hits each.

On the mound, Utica starter Chris Jeffers was strong, allowing just four hits and two unearned runs to pick up the win in a complete game effort. 

Brad Wright (Baldswinville, NY/C.W. Baker) came on in relief for starter Frank DiPinto (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) in the first inning and pitched well the rest of the way, allowing six hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings.  He had four strikeouts.  DiPinto took the loss, allowing four runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Brian Brazee (Auburn, NY/Auburn) had an RBI single for the Tigers.

The two teams are slated to play a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. to close out the season series.