UTICA, N.Y. — The Keuka College Baseball team defeated SUNY Poly 6-3 in the opening game of the 2026 Empire 8 Baseball Championship Tournament.
The Wolves advance to the next round where they will face #4 Utica University in an elimination game on Thursday morning in Schenectady.
Lucas Gilbert led the way for Keuka College (15-19, 10-12 Empire 8). The junior went sent strong innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.
His battery-mate,
Owen Garvey, had a career-high three hits for the Wolves. The big blow came from senior
Derek Novicki. He had a pair of hits but none bigger than his grand slam in the third to give the Wolves the lead.
#6 Keuka College 6 at #5 SUNY Poly 3 – Empire 8 Tournament – First Round
After a scoreless two innings to start the game, Keuka College pushed ahead in the third inning.
Owen Garvey led off with a single. The Wolves then used small ball as both
Alex Evans and
Grady Kessler laid down bunts. They were placed perfectly enough that both resulted in singles for Keuka to load the bases. The Wolves then transitioned from small ball into power as
Derek Novicki drove a ball over the right centerfield field for the grand slam and 4-0 Keuka lead.
The Wildcats pressured in the fifth inning with runners on the corners and one out. SUNY Poly hit a line drive to third base that was snared by
Mike Dutch. He threw across the diamond to first to double-up the runner and end the inning.
The Wolves carried the momentum into the top of the fifth inning.
Michael Brown singled up the middle with one out to start the rally. The Wolves turned to a hit-and-run.
Mike Dutch hit a ball over third and into left. Brown, running on the play, took third, and Dutch took second on the double. After a pitching change,
Owen Garvey singled to left for the Wolves. Brown scored, but Dutch was thrown out at the plate. Despite the out, Keuka led 5-0.
SUNY Poly got on the board in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of doubles. Starting pitcher
Lucas Gilbert kept the Wildcats there as he got his sixth strikeout of the day to end the inning.
The Wolves answered back quickly in the eighth.
Jackson Loper led off the inning with a single.
Jay Antinore pinch ran for the senior. SUNY Poly attempted a pickoff, and the throw got away, allowing Antinore to showcase his speed and go all the way to third. The run was cashed on an RBI single by
Ian Ruhmel to give the Wolves a 6-1 advantage.
Two runs came home for SUNY Poly in the bottom of the eighth. The Wolves carried a 6-3 lead into the final inning.
Keuka turned to
Brandon Wilson to close the game out. The first-year got a line drive out to
Mike Dutch at third. Dutch then made a nice diving play and threw across for the second out. The final out came on a groundball to
Alex Evans as short as Keuka College secured the 6-3 tournament victory.
KC Notes:
- The win was the second Empire 8 Tournament win in program history. The Wolves previously defeated Elmira College in the first round in 2021
- Despite their time spent together in both the Empire 8 and the North Eastern Athletic Conference, Monday was the first-ever postseason game between the Wolves and Wildcats
- It was the fourth home run of Derek Novicki's career. The four RBIs moved his career total to 73, fourth-best in program history
- It was a season-high in innings for Lucas Gilbert on the mound as he picked up his third win of the season
- Brandon Wilson retired the Wildcats in order in the ninth for his fourth save of the season. He now sits in sole possession of third on the single-season list at Keuka College
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves continue in the Empire 8 Tournament. The postseason will now shift to Russell Sage College as the top-seeded team. The games will be played at Central Park in Schenectady. Keuka College has one more step before making the four-team double-elimination tournament. Keuka will face Utica University on Thursday morning in an elimination game. With a win, Keuka would advance into the full four-team tournament and face top-ranked Russell Sage later in the day.
