ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Sophomore Michael Hannan homered twice, but the Bard College baseball team fell to Ithaca College in both games of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon, dropping the first game by an 11-8 score, then came up short in a 6-3 decision in Game 2.
 
Hannan (Miami, Fla.) had a strong day at the plate, blasting two home runs and collecting five RBI between the two games. His first home run, coming in Game 1, was a two-run shot down the left field line, followed by a three-run homer to left in Game 2. The second long ball helped pull Bard (4-8, 3-5 LL) within a run in the second game, but the visiting Bombers (14-7-1, 9-2-1 LL) were able to hold off the home team late, adding a pair of runs in the eighth inning and earning the win.

The Raptors had a hot start with the bats in Game 1, scoring five runs in the first two innings. But Ithaca was able to answer back, as outfielder Garrett Callaghan hit a pair of home runs for the visitors on their way to an 11-8 victory. First baseman Justin Fiume went 4-for-4 with an RBI and Spencer Checkoway added three hits in Game 1. Bard coach Andy Salvatore spoke highly of Hannan and his performance in the two games.

"Mike's very capable of doing that," Salvatore said. "He was a little cold coming in, but he broke out in a big way with two really big swings for us today."

The Bombers' pitching then led them in the second game, as pitcher Buzz Shirley went seven innings, allowing just two hits and two earned runs.

The Raptors now turn their attention to this weekend, as they play a four-game Liberty League series against Skidmore.

"We've got to do the fundamental things right," Salvatore said. "We've got to be in the zone and not give away free bases on the mound. We have to take good at-bats and put the ball in play."

The first two games of the series will be played in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, and the series will conclude with a doubleheader in Annandale on Sunday. Follow all four games via Live Stats or Live Video.