Box Score Junior Jon Borchert (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) was 6-for-6 with a solo HR and four RBI and sophomore Kyle Michaud (Elmira Heights, NY/Thomas A. Edison) struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings of relief as the Keuka College baseball team defeated Cazenovia College 16-2 Friday afternoon on Kuhl Field in Keuka Park, N.Y.
In just his third season on the Storm, Borchert broke the school's all-time RBI record with his double to left field in the fourth inning. With 80 career RBI, he broke Dave Pietraszek's old mark of 78, set from 2001-04.
Seniors Gavin Corbin (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and Kyle McVannan (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) each drove in two runs, as did juniors Dan Smith (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) and Keith Ryan (Fort Myers, Fla./Ave Marie University) as the Storm (11-9, 6-4 NEAC) won their fourth straight NEAC game.
"The ball looks like a beach ball out there. I'm just relaxing, focusing and seeing the ball well. I have an even-keel at the plate and that has helped a lot," Borchert said. "Today, we came out and were better and had a great all-around effort in the win. Our bats, everyone up and down the order, everyone is seeing the ball well and we're just clicking as an offense. We're a scary team and one through nine, we're a strong lineup."
Smith, McVannan, senior Justyn Schuck (Hammondsport, NY/Hammondsport) and juniors Jake Burachalk (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) and junior Conner Anderson (Missoula, MT/Sentinel) each finished 2-for-5 as the Green and Gold outhit Cazenovia (5-17, 1-6) 19-5.
After junior Zach Nobles (Wayland, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) started and allowed only one hit in 2 1/3 innings, Michaud came on in relief and was lights-out.
Michaud improved to 4-1 on the year, allowing two runs on four hits of effective relief. He struck out nine and issued only one walk in the win.
"My curveball worked, it finally came along today and clicked for me," Michaud said. "I was able to throw it well and change it up on the mound instead of just throwing a lot of fastballs like I have been in the past. Our defense has been a while lot better than it was a year ago and it helps that pitchers can pitch to contact and don't have to worry about the defense messing up. We have 100 percent faith in our defense."
Borchert and Smith each had RBI singles during a three-run first, and Borchert led off the third with a towering solo home run over the fence in left field for a 4-0 lead. McVannan laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt to plate a run and Ryan drove in a run on a groundout as the Storm took a 6-0 lead into the fourth.
Borchert and Schuck had RBI doubles, Anderson and McVannan had RBI singles and Ryan drove in a run on a sacrifice fly during a six-run fourth as the Storm took a 12-0 lead.
Corbin added a two-run double and Smith had an RBI single in a three-run seventh as the Storm took a 15-2 lead and cruised to the win.
The Storm host Cazenovia for a NEAC doubleheader Saturday, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.