St. Lawrence Saints Suffer Hard Setback at Rochester 19-3

Clarkson's Joe Figliolino (23) doubles to right center, driving in a run to give the Golden Knights a 4-0 advantage in the third inning.  Clarkson would hold off rival St. Lawrence 4-2 in the opener, then dominate the nightcap 15-2 in a twinbill sweep.   (Bob LaRue photo)

04/25/225: The two starters for the Clarkson University Baseball team combined to allow just four total runs in the doubleheader against St. Lawrence on Friday, allowing the Golden Knights to claim two key conference victories from their down-the-road rivals, winning game one 4-2 and game two 15-2 at Jack Phillips Stadium. The two teams will resume the three-game series on Sunday in Canton. With some help from around the league, Clarkson can potentially clinch a spot in the cross-over weekend with a Liberty League Playoff spot on the line. Clarkson improved to 15-11 overall and 7-6 in the West Division, while the Saints fell to 11-21 and 5-8 in the West. Both teams have two games remaining in conference, as the Knights are scheduled to face Hobart College on Monday and the Saints preparing to play University of Rochester on Tuesday. Both teams had first inning rallies snuffed out, but Clarkson was able to score a run in the second and then three more in the third. With two outs in the bottom half of the second frame and runners on first and second, James Mason dropped in a single in front of the St. Lawrence right fielder to plate the first run of the game. Clarkson then strung together four straight hits in the bottom of the third to score three. Seth Albert singled to right and Aiden Kuefner dropped a single over the first base bag to put runners on the corners. Kuefner then stole second for two in scoring position, and Cam Jerrett delivered by launching a double to deep right and plating a pair. Joe Figliolino traded places with Jerrett when he ripped a double to right center, making it 4-0. The Knights would not score again for the remainder of the game, but St. Lawrence began to chip away. A sacrifice fly by Timothy Connor scored Matt Davis in the fifth to put the Saints on the board, and two innings later an infield grounder to cut the deficit to two. However, Nathan Hartley struck out three of the final six hitters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings to close out the game. Cole Riskin earned the win by allowing just a single earned run over 6.1 innings, striking out eight along the way, while Hartley got the extended saves, striking out three and now allowing a hit in 2.2 innings of work. David Zuhlsdorf took the loss for the Saints, striking out six against just one walk and giving up eight hits in eight innings of work. Game two saw St. Lawrence come out hot with three hits in the first inning, none bigger than Timothy Connor's homer to right center to put the Saints on the board early. However, Clarkson homered three times in the next four innings, scoring 12 runs in that stretch. The first two came around on a bomb to center field by Joe Figliolino and two more came around on James Mason's ripped shot to left. St. Lawrence picked up a run on Connor's RBI single in the third, but the Knights responded when Beau Vardion doubled to left to make it 5-2 after three innings. The game was broken open in the fourth as a single to CJ Kanick was followed by a hit by pitch, three consecutive walks, and a single by CJ Cartier which scored a pair, putting the tally at 9-2. Beau Vardion then cleared the bases with a three-run homer to left center, changing the board to 12-2. Clarkson tacked on three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth as a fielder's choice gave Seth Albert an RBI and Cam Jerrett singled to center to score two more. With a 13-run lead, Clarkson was able to get through the top of the seventh to win via mercy rule. Kanick finished the second game 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring a run. Vardion was 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring three times and driving in four runs. Figliolino and Jerrett each scored twice, drove in two, and walked twice for the Knights. Nicholas Hofacker gained the win, striking out six and scattering nine hits for two earned runs in six frames. Carter Gould fanned a pair in his inning of work in the seventh for Clarkson.

SUNY Canton’s Fernando Santana (34) slides onto third base, just beating the tag from St. Lawrence University third baseman Cristian Forgione (8) to advance into scoring position. The Kangaroos strung together four runs in thefifth inning to capture a 9-7 victory over the Saints. (Cody Jenne photo) Game Gallery

SUNY Canton’s Brandon Bautista (18) drives the ball into the gap between center and left fields to earn a double and advance a runner into scoring position at third base.  The Bulldogs surged in the seventh inning to capture the 8-6 victory over the Roos. (Cody Jenne photo) Game Gallery

 April 13: Brett Hoberman and Brandon Bautista both hit home runs and Hoberman led the Roos with five hits on the day but the SUNY Canton baseball team dropped a doubleheader v. Stevens by scores of 8-6 and 15-2 on Saturday. The Roos jumped out to a 5-3 lead after three innings in the opener behind two runs in the first and three in the second. Stevens tied the game at 5-5 with a pair of runs in the fourth and each team scored once in the fifth. The difference proved to be a Ryan Finegan 2 RBI single in the sixth that broke the tie. Finegan went a perfect 4-for-4 on the day. Hoberman and Brian Santana led the Roos as they each went 3-for-4 from the plate. Hoberman had a home run, double and drove in four of Canton's six runs. Bautista also hit a solo homer for the Roos. Jake Vierno earned the no-decision tossing five innings giving up three earned runs with seven strike outs. Anthony Tur took the loss giving up one earned run in one inning. Alex Smith picked up the victory for Stevens surrendering just two hits and on runs in 2.1 innings. Danny Poidomani was credited with the no-decision pitching 4.2 innings giving up six runs with 13 strike outs.  Stevens scored six runs in the third and four in the eighth as they claimed a 15-2 victory in the nightcap. The Roos scored their two runs in the opening inning on a pair of Hoberman and Bautista RBI ground outs. Ben Miller paced the Canton bats with three hits, while Santana and Hoberman had two each. Kieran Gibson took the loss giving up nine runs with two strike outs in 2.2 innings. Ryan Larsen earned the win surrendering nine hits and two runs fanning four batters in eight innings. Tommy Baronner and Donny Gherardi tallied three hits each for the Ducks.

April 11: Edward Malinoski, Jr. posted three hits and Brett Hoberman drove in a pair of runs as a late Roos rally fell just short as the SUNY Canton baseball team dropped a 9-8 decision at St. Lawrence University in 10 innings.  Malinoski led all players with three hits in the contest and added a sacrifice and walk in six plate appearances, while Hoberman tied a game-high with 2 RBI. Jesse Iacovetta, Ben Miller and Collin Lynk also had hits. The Roos scored three runs in the fifth, four in the ninth and one in the fourth, while the Saints tallied three runs in the seventh, two each in the first and fifth and one each in the eighth and tenth. St. Lawrence earned the walk-off win on a walk in the bottom of the 10th. Canton rallied to score four runs in the top of the 9th to send the game to extras. Brandon Bautista tookt he loss giving up just one hit and two walks in one inning.

In the 7th inning, SLU's Mike Siano (30) grounds to third allowing Sean Desjardins to cross the plate.  Clarkson held off St. Lawrence 4-2 and the opener, then dumped the Saints 15-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep.  (Bob LaRue photo)
Bottom of the second, Matt Davis sends the ball to centerfield for a hit.  Eddie Morrissey scores from second. 1-0 Saints. St. Lawrence hangs on for a 3-1 win over Castleton.

04/25/2025: Senior infielder Timothy Connor had a home run and three RBI across two games, but the St. Lawrence University baseball team ended up dropping both halves of a doubleheader against Clarkson at Jack Phillips Stadium in Potsdam, N.Y. St. Lawrence fell to 11-21 overall and 6-9 in the Liberty League with the loss, while the Knights improved to 15-11 and 7-6 in conference play. Game one: St. Lawrence 2, Clarkson 4 (9 Innings) St. Lawrence wasted little time getting the game's first hit, as Mike Siano scorched a single to right field. However, they were unable to get him around, as the threat came to pass. Clarkson took the lead in the bottom of the night, when a single and a hit by pitch led to an RBI single, which made it 1-0. The Knights' lead was extended to 4-0 in the bottom of the third when two singles and two doubles brought three around to score.   St. Lawrence chipped away, scoring at the top of the fifth. Matt Davis got on the base paths with a bunt and was followed by a single from John Donnellan. Siano would then reach on an error to load the bases, where Connor brought a runner in with a sacrifice fly. The game was brought to within two runs in the top of the seventh, where Siano drove in Sean Desjardins with an RBI groundout. The Saints failed to gain any more ground in the game as the game went to a 4-2 final. David Zuhlsdorf pitched the whole game for St. Lawrence, going eight innings, giving up four runs, and striking out six. Game two: St. Lawrence 2, Clarkson 15 (7 Innings) The Scarlet and Brown took the lead in game two when Connor came to the dish for his first at-bat. With one out away, the senior smoked a ball over the right field wall to take the 1-0 lead. The Saints threatened after with a pair of singles from Willie Landman and John Gannon but fouled out with two outs to end the threat. Clarkson answered back in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run home run to take the lead at 2-1. The wind kept blowing out in the second inning, where the Knights hit another two-run shot to take a 4-1 lead. Siano started the third with a double to centerfield, and the Saints made it 4-2 when Connor singled through the right side to score his teammate. Two more singles loaded the bases for the Saints with no outs, but three straight putouts left three runners on. Clarkson scored another run in the third but blew the game open in the fourth with seven runs to take the commanding lead. St. Lawrence put together a small threat in the sixth with a double and a walk, but couldn't find their footing as the game ended after seven innings.    Boden Driscoll got the start in the game, going 2.2 innings, and was relieved by Joe LaPrade and Michael Flyzik, who each went 0.2 innings. Liam Hickey and Brendan Karadenes wrapped up the game pitching the last two innings combined.

 04/22/2025: Matt Davis and John Gannon each drove in a run for the Saints on the day as the St. Lawrence University baseball team picked up a midweek 3-1 win over VTSU Castleton on Tuesday at Tom Fay Field in Canton, N.Y. St. Lawrence improved to 11-18 with the win, while the Spartans fell to 11-19. First-year left-hander Ryan McCausland got the start on the hill for the Scarlet and was rolling early with a pair of strikeouts in the first two innings of the game. On the offensive side, St. Lawrence plated the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Following a leadoff flyout, Eddie Morrissey singled his way on base and stole second to put the Saints in scoring position. With two outs away, Davis delivered a single to center field to give the Saints the lead. Ethan Harris was up next, and he reached on an error, which also allowed Davis to come around and score, making it 2-0. McCausland struck out two more batters in the top of the third but found himself in trouble in the fourth inning. A leadoff error put a Spartan on the base paths, and he would advance to third on a groundout. A single from the Castleton first baseman scored the run to cut the St. Lawrence lead in half. A pair of fielders' choices for McCausland got him out of the jam. St. Lawrence turned to the bullpen the rest of the way with Liam Hickey taking the hill for the next two innings, giving up one hit and striking out two batters in the eventual win. Jared Brenner and Michael Flyzik also turned in strong outings, pitching an inning of scoreless ball each. In the eighth inning, the Saints tacked on an insurance run to go up 3-1. Mike Siano, Timothy Connor, and Brett Federico all reached base to load the bases with no outs. Gannon stepped up from his spot as the cleanup hitter and smoked a ball to the wall in left-center. The play would score a run to make it a two-run lead going into the top of the ninth. The Saints trotted out Brendan Karadenes with a chance to shut down the game, and the senior delivered. The right-hander forced a groundout, a lineout, and struck out a batter to pick up his third save of the season.

SUNY Plattsburgh's Mike Rasquin singles up the middle. Joey DiRocco scores.  Alex Kornblau then skied to right. On the sac-fly, Rasquin came home to score. 7-3 Plattsburgh. The Cardinals hold off a late Clarkson rally for a 12-10 win in a non-league game.  (Bob LaRue photo)

04/02/2024: The Plattsburgh State Cardinals won their third straight game at Jack Phillips Stadium in Potsdam, New York, defeating Clarkson 12-10 in a strong road win on Tuesday over the Golden Knights. The Cards jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the fifth and held on to win to snap a three-game losing skid. Mike Rasquin (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) had a strong game in the leadoff spot, collecting three hits while scoring and driving in two runs. First-year Frankie Kowal (Shrub Oak, N.Y./Lakeland) had three hits and two RBI while both Joey Di Rocco (Congers, N.Y./Clarkstown South) and Aidan Diltz (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) each had two hits and two RBI. The pair kept their averages over .400 with Diltz leading the team batting .410 and Di Rocco currently hitting .404. Dylan Bass (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) earned his third win of the season with 5.1 innings of work on the mound, giving up four earned runs while striking out two. Nick Goldberg (Commack, N.Y./Commack) earned his first career save, going 3.2 innings and striking out three batters. Plattsburgh State moves to 12-7 and next open a home conference series against Oswego State, as they commence a three-game series beginning on Friday, April 5 at 3 p.m. Clarkson falls to 7-9 on the year with the loss and next begins a league series with Rochester beginning on Friday, April 5. The Cards used a three-run first to give themselves an early advantage and a lead they would hold the entire game. Kyle Cremin (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) brought in the first run, scoring Rasquin with an RBI groundout after Rasquin and Alex Kornblau (Pound Ridge, N.Y./Fox Lane) both singled to start the game. Diltz singled home Kornblau two batters later and then a run came around to score on a failed pickoff attempt. In the third, the Cards added a run off a Diltz RBI fielder's choice to put the team up 4-0. Clarkson added three runs in the third, as Aidan Kuefner singled home two runs and scored on a double. Plattsburgh responded with three runs of their own to go back up four runs in the fourth, as Rasquin singled home Di Rocco after a walk and one-out single put two on for the centerfielder. A wild pitch brought home another run and Kornblau brought home Rasquin in the same at bat with a sacrifice fly. The 7-3 lead turned to a 10-3 lead in the fifth as Di Rocco laced his team-leading sixth double to score two runs and Kowal singled him home directly after. After going five innings, Bass went out having just allowed two earned runs but put two batters on base before exiting with one out in the sixth. Goldberg got the second out of the inning but a wild pitch and single up the middle scored both of the batters Bass put on, as the runs were charged to the Plattsburgh starter. The Cardinals got the runs immediately back in the seventh beginning with Zach Rainville (Saranac, N.Y./Saranac) pinch ran, stole second, and advanced to third on a Di Rocco single. Kowal followed with a single to left center to score Rainville and after a sacrifice bunt, Rasquin brought home Di Rocco with a sacrifice fly to center. In the bottom of the seventh, a couple of infield hits set up a big inning for Clarkson, as Quinn Maslowksi doubled home three runs and then came around to score on a two-run homer by Beau Vardion, putting the Golden Knights down just two runs. With a close game, the Cards weren't able to add runs in the eighth and ninth, leaving the game in the hands of Goldberg, who settled in the final two frames, going 1-2-3 in the eighth and then working around a two-out single to get Vardion to fly out to center to end the game. Tommy DiFranco was charged with his second loss of the year, giving up four runs in three innings of work, while Joe Figliolino had three hits and two doubles and Kuefner drove in four runs on three hits.

Clarkson shortstop Caleb Doyle tags out a Plattsburgh runner attempting to steal second base.  Both team exchanged big inning: Plattsburgh scored seven times in the fourth, then Clarkson plated eight runs in the sixth.  SUNY Plattsburgh outslugged Clarkson 14-11 in a non-conference game.  (Bob LaRue photo)