KNIGHTS BACK ON WINNING TRACK, HUFFMAN TIES WIN RECORD

April 21, 2004

Giovan Scialdone connected for a game-winning double in Clarkson's 4-3 victory over Plattsburgh - photo by Chris Lenney

Potsdam, NY – A game-winning double by Giovan Scialdone (Colonie, NY) in the opener and a three-run triple by Mike Ruffinen (Wynantskill, NY) in the nightcap highlighted a Clarkson University Baseball doubleheader sweep of Plattsburgh State, 4-3 and 11-0, Wednesday afternoon at Clarkson’s Snell Field.

The Golden Knights improved to 13-13 on the season while the Cardinals fell to 12-16 overall. Clarkson closes its UCAA slate this weekend when they host Rensselaer and Vassar.

In the first game, the Golden Knights fell behind in the opening inning as Plattsburgh produced two runs with just one hit, a double by Bill Ryan (Whitesboro, NY). Clarkson responded with two runs in the bottom of the third inning on a double by John Smith (Hermon, NY) scoring T.J. Brinkman (Troy, NY) and Brandon Barcomb (Cadyville, NY). The Golden Knights went up 3-2 in the fifth inning when Barcomb scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Onisk (Baldwinsville, NY). Plattsburgh tied the game with a home run by Ryan. The Cardinals loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning, but Clarkson pitcher Nick Huffman (Fulton, NY) closed the inning with a strikeout to end the threat. Clarkson scored the game-winning run with a two-out double by Scialdone, scoring Smith from first base, when Cardinals’ centerfielder Matt Kahan slipped in the outfield. Huffman picked up his third win of the season in relief for the Golden Knights. With the victory, Huffman tied Matt Nolan for the most career victories at Clarkson with 15. Huffman went 7-2 in 2002 and 5-0 last season in addition to his 3-2 record this season.

In the second game, the Golden Knights got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the third inning. J.J. Lorence (Liverpool, NY) singled to left field to score Jamie Tunison (Ithaca, NY) and Ruffinen followed Tunison in when the leftfielder over ran the ball, scoring all the way from first base. Clarkson added three runs in the fourth inning, scoring two on a double to the right-centerfield gap by Tom Lilienthal (Baldwinsville, NY) and another run on an error by the Cardinals catcher which scored Lilienthal after a stolen base. The Golden Knights then put the game out of reach in the fifth inning with bases clearing triple by Ruffinen, which extended his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest such recorded streak at Clarkson.

David Potter (Crown Point, NY) pitched five scoreless innings to earn his second victory of the season, allowing only one hit. Stefan Casey (Waterbury, VT) and John Smith also added scoreless frames, with Smith striking out the side to close the game in the seventh.

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