Rochester, NY – Jack Herman homered twice, including a first-inning grand slam, to give University of Rochester a 8-2 win over the Clarkson University Baseball team in the final game of the Liberty League Championships on Saturday afternoon at Towers Field.

The Golden Knights saw their season come to an end with a record of 23-17, while Rochester moved to 28-15.

Rochester took little time getting on the scoreboard, using the momentum from its game one win in the deciding game of the tournament. After the opening out, the Yellowjackets reached with three straight singles to load the bases, setting the scene for Herman, who hit a 3-1 pitch just to the left of the scoreboard to clear the bases, giving Rochester a 4-0 lead. Clarkson starter Jake Scurrah would settle in from there, not allowing a hit for the remainder of the frame or in the next two innings.

Clarkson broke through on offense in the top of the fourth, as Brad Pearson doubled and moved to third on a ground out. Mike Nee then reached on a two-out error to allow Pearson to score, making it 4-1.

The score remained 4-1 until Herman delivered a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, but Clarkson responded with a run in the top of the seventh. Mike Messier was hit by a pitch, but the pain was reduced when Mike Tito doubled him home, making it 5-2. Tommy Bianchi then singled, but Rochester got out of the jam with a strikeout and a double play.

Rochester scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to pull back ahead by four (6-2), but Clarkson again threatened in the top of the eighth with runners on second and third, but the Knights were unable to cash in. That proved costly when Jake Hertz singled home two more insurance runs in bottom of the eighth.

Bianchi finished 2-for-4 for Clarkson and Scurrah took the loss for the Knights. Garrett Renslow improved to 6-2, tossing 3.2 innings on one day of rest while allowing two hits, three walks and a single unearned run. Brendan Shamieh went the final 2.2 innings to gain the save.