SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Ithaca short stop Trevor Thompson finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI while starting pitcher Jake Binder scattered six hits over seven innings of work as the sixth-seeded Bombers eliminated fifth-seeded Castleton, 5-2, on the second day of the NCAA Division III Baseball New York Regional, hosted by Onondaga Community College.
Ithaca (29-12) got on the board in the top of the third inning. Left fielder Domenic Boresta legged out a lead-off infield single and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches before scoring on an RBI ground-out by the designated hitter Andrew Bailey.
Ithaca broke the game open with four runs in the top the of the sixth inning. Second baseman Josh Savacool dropped a two-out single into shallow right field and came all the way around to score after first baseman Webb Little lined a double just inside the right field line. Thompson followed with a single to short center field to score Little from second. Right fielder Sam Little then singled through the right side before third baseman Ryan Henchey loaded the bases with a single to left. Catcher Adam Gallagher brought two runs in after a high pop to shallow center fell between two Spartan fielders.
Castleton got two runs back in the sixth. Third baseman Zach Bahan led off with a single to left before pitcher Davis Mikel reached on a walk. Catcher Jonathan Lindau singled into left to load the bases before second baseman Matt Jackson brought Bahan across with a sacrifice fly to center field. Short stop Dylan Bailey re-loaded the bases with a single to left before Mikel came in to score after first baseman Henrik Barbin reached on a bobbled grounder by the Bombers' short stop.
Binder (9-1) struck out five Spartans to earn the victory while Webb Little came on to throw a perfect final two innings to earn the save, striking out two.
Ithaca advances to play again on Saturday (May 20) at 2:30 p.m. against an opponent to be determined based on the outcome of today's other two games. Castleton finishes the season with a 34-10 record.