Utica, NY: In a back-and-forth slugfest Thursday evening, the SUNY Cobleskill baseball team nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback but came up just short, falling 16-14 to Utica University in a non-conference road matchup.

Thomas Reis (Deposit, NY/Deposit Central) led the charge for the Tigers, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and helping fuel a late offensive surge. Korin Laurilla (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) kept his hot streak alive with a 2-for-3 performance, scoring twice and driving in a run. Jesus Sarda (Colonie, NY) was clutch in key moments, finishing 2-for-6 with a game-high four RBIs, including a big ninth-inning single. Cole Platt (Oneonta, NY) added a double and two RBIs, while Zach Ducorsky (Oceanside, NY) and David Flora (Windsor, NY) were aggressive on the basepaths, each swiping three bags.

On the mound, the Tigers used seven different arms. Reis Brammer (Cohoes, NY/CBA Albany) was tagged with the loss (2-5), while Ducorsky tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Logan Moore (Corning, NY/Corning Painted-Post) added two solid frames, giving up one run on two hits while striking out two.

Cobleskill came out swinging, plating three runs in the top of the first. Platt ripped a double down the right-field line to score Flora, then Reis singled to bring Platt around, giving the Tigers a quick 3-0 lead.

After two quiet innings from the Pioneers, Utica broke things open in the third, erupting for nine runs off three different Cobleskill pitchers. The hosts added another in the fourth to stretch the lead to 10-3.

The Tigers didn't back down. A pair of runs in the fifth—sparked by base hits from Reis and Sarda—cut into the deficit. But Utica answered with three of their own in the bottom half to make it 13-5.

Cobleskill clawed back once again. Platt's RBI single in the sixth brought home Flora, and the Tigers rallied for four runs in the seventh. One of the game's flashiest plays came when Flora swiped second, allowing Ducorsky to break for the plate and steal home, cutting the score to 13-10.

In the eighth, Sarda's sacrifice fly to center brought in Logan Firment (Andes, NY/South Kortright), trimming the deficit to 13-11. But Utica padded its lead with three runs in the bottom of the frame to make it 16-11 heading into the final inning.

Cobleskill kept the pressure on in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, a walk brought in a run, followed by a Sarda single to center that plated two more. With the tying runs aboard, Utica finally shut the door, recording the final out to escape with the win.

Cobleskill outscored Utica 9-3 over the final four innings, showcasing their resilience and late-game fight in a contest that had the feel of a playoff tilt.

Up Next:
The Tigers hit the road as they head to VTSU-Lyndon on Saturday for their regular season NAC weekend series finale. First pitch will be around 12:00 pm.