James, Izquierdo Stay Hot as Express Drop Two Against SUNY Poly

AURORA – Senior catcher Aaron Izquierdo and reigning AMCC Player of the Week Jacobi James each recorded multi-hit games in Saturday's losses to SUNY Poly.

James, fresh off winning Player of the Week honors, continued his streak of good batting, notching 2 hits in 3 at bats for the Express in game one. James made a statement in his first at bat of the day, launching a solo-home run on a low-curving pitch to cut an early SUNY Poly lead in half. Later, in the fifth inning, James rocketed another ball over the Wildcat center fielder, resulting in a double and his second extra base hit of the game. James finished game one with 2 hits in 3 at bats for the Express, also logging an RBI and a run on the back of his first inning homer.

After a 2-run first inning by the visiting Wildcats and James' first inning-home run, senior shortstop Zac Legaretta touched home on a wild pitch in the second to bring the score level at 2. From there the Express bats went cold as they went hitless in 3 of the remaining 5 innings. A throwing error in the third inning allowed the Wildcats to take a 5-2 lead after Wells looked like they may escape the frame unscathed.

Junior hurler Zack Cronk did his best to keep the Express within striking distance, holding SUNY Poly to 1 hit in his 2 2/3 inning of work. Cronk struck out 2 of the 10 batters he faced with only 1 batter managing to reach first base.

Senior second baseman Max Odum tried summoned a late spark for the Express, belting a fifth inning home run to bring the SUNY Poly lead to 3. Although the Express wouldn't record another run, falling 6-3 in the first of two 7-inning games.

In game two, Izquierdo found his rhythm, scoring 2 runs and logging 2 hits and 1 walk in 3 recorded at bats.

The Express started off the game with an explosive 3-run first inning that included a 2-RBI double from a still-red hot Jacobi James. First year outfielder AJ Campi knocked in James on an RBI single to left field, 1 of his 2 RBI knocks in game two.

Despite the early offensive burst for the Express, SUNY Poly found themselves with a 9-3 lead late in the game after a 5-run second inning and a 4-run fifth. The Express found a couple late runs courtesy of two singles from Zack Odum and Alan Compres, however they couldn't muster enough runs for a comeback and dropped game two to the Wildcats by a score of 10-6.

The Express take on the Wildcats tomorrow at noon in the series finale at the Wells College Turf Complex.

GO EXPRESS!!

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