The New York University Baseball Team struggled against Utica University and Mother Nature on Wednesday, but the undefeated Violets showed resiliency against both to pull out a 4-3 rain-shortened victory.

Playing the Pioneers in Bradenton, FL, the Violets (6-0) took an early 2-0 lead on a solo home run by Nick Argenziano in the first inning and an RBI single by Ryan Carr in the second.

However, Utica (5-3) took the lead with three runs in the third. They also mounted a rally in the fifth, but NYU reliever Jason Pearson took the mound in a one-out, two-on situation and induced two fly outs to keep the Violets within a run.

Grant Berman led off the bottom of the fifth with another solo home run to knot the score. Then, with two outs and rain starting to fall, walks to Connor Roggero and Jacob Singer plus an errant pickoff throw by Pioneer pitcher James Roeschlaub created a first and third situation. On one of Roeschlaub's ensuing deliveries, catcher Noah Barber tried to pick Singer off first. Roggero took advantage of that toss and darted home with the go-ahead run.

During a Utica pitching change, lightening and thundering rain appeared.

Soon the game was called and NYU remained with a goose egg in the loss column this season.

"The guys played hard today," said Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "Utica is a good team, and when you play good teams you have to find different ways to win. Today, the long ball, some solid pitching, and Roggero making a great baseball play got us that rain-shortened win."
  
Florida weather permitting, the Violets will be back on the field Thursday morning at 9:00am for a tilt against Bowdoin College in Auburndale.