KISSIMMEE, Fla - The Stevenson University baseball team got a strong four innings out of junior starter Zach Kaye and his offense staked him to an early 6-0 lead, but a strong answer in the later frames came from the opponent Clarkson University as they went on to down the Mustangs by a 9-7 final on Wednesday morning at the Osceola County Baseball Complex in non-conference action.

• Stevenson (8-5) struck first as with two-out singles by sophomore Thomas Holcomb and senior Jordan Moore set the table for classmate Zachary DeLong who came up with the first run-scoring hit of the day with a single to left to make it 1-0.  
• The next man was freshman Billy McAdam and he would bounce out to second to end the threat.
• Clarkson (4-4) went down in order against Kaye as he struck out the side.

• Junior Brady Kessler worked a one-out walk and stole second with two away before fellow junior Mark Terrell reached on an infield single pushing the edge to 2-0.  
• It was another good shutdown frame for Kaye as he got two ground outs and another strikeout.

• With a pair of runners on DeLong smacked a double to left-center plating Holcomb who reached on a leadoff walk.  
• McAdam kept things rolling along with a three-bagger to deep right field driving in both DeLong and Moore for a 5-0 advantage.
• The Mustangs were not done though as Kessler singled to left for an RBI. 
• Clarkson responded in their half scoring three times all with two outs.
• Mike Nee began the rally with a single coming around to score on a Zachary Carpin double.
• He then was driven in by Pete Ruzzo, before an error by the shortstop allowed him to score making it 6-3 through four.

• The Golden Knights crept closer in the home fifth against freshman reliever Sam Downs, as with two outs he hit Mike Bonk.
• He then stole second base, before watching the pitcher balk twice allowing him to score.  Carpin would strikeout swinging to retire the side.

• After Stevenson could not muster an attack in their half the home side took their first lead as three straight men reached safely on junior Brady Helinski before a groundout to Kessler at second let one runner in.  
• The with two-on and one out to get Tommy Bianchi cleared the bags with a two-run triple.  He then scored himself on a passed ball to nudge them ahead 8-6.

• The Mustangs pulled one back in the ensuing frame as senior Matthew Kerber bounded one up the box for a one-out single.  
• After he stole second a strikeout by Terrell sent junior Alex Kidwiler to the dish and he plated the runner with a knock to right.  
• Clarkson got the run right back as Vincent Granuzzo opened the inning with a walk.  
• Back-to-back groundouts moved the man over to third with Nate Burns coming to bat.
• During his at-bat freshman Malcolm Edelin spiked a pitch in the dirt letting Granuzzo score for a 9-7 lead.

• Stevenson had the tying runs on base with two down, but Kessler grounded out to second to retire the side.

• Kerber singled and Kidwiler doubled putting two men in scoring position for sophomore pinch-hitter Sam Ferreira.
• Unfortunately, went down on strikes for the second out of the frame.
• That brought Moore to the plate with a chance to tie the game, but his hard hit grounder went off the foot of the base umpire which only allowed the batter to go to first and nothing else.
• With the bases loaded sophomore Kevin Barrett took a tight pitch on the inside corner for strike three to end the game.

• W: Mike Bubniak (3-1), L: Brady Helinski (1-1)
• Kaye went four innings in the start allowing three runs on four hits, while fanning seven.
• Helinski took the loss in relief lasting one frame but issuing four hits and four runs.
• Sophomore Patrick Sullivan, Downs and Edelin each pitched one combining for three K's and two runs.
• Moore, DeLong, and Kerber each notched three hits and combined for three runs scored and a pair of RBIs.
• Kidwiler added two hits an RBI and drew a free pass.
• Bubniak earned the win in relief lasting five frames surrendering six hits, one run and struck out seven.
• Nine different Golden Knights players recorded a single hit.

• The Mustangs continue their Florida spring break trip on Friday, March 22 when they will begin a MAC Commonwealth series against Albright College with a doubleheader beginning at 9:45 am.