NEWARK, N.Y. – The Newark Pilots (6-21) and the Utica Blue Sox (5-18) battled in a pitchers' duel at Colburn Park on Sunday afternoon and thanks to an eighth-inning rally, Utica picked up its fifth win, 3-0.

Newark's Henry Martinez (Cypress) went 6.0 strong innings for the Pilots, giving up six hits and two walks, while striking out 12. When he was pulled in the seventh, the game was still in a scoreless draw. Utica starter Dylan Leahy (Keystone) one-upped Martinez, going the distance for a complete-game shutout. Leahy allowed just five hits and one walk, while recording six strikeouts.

All three runs in the game came in the top of the eighth. Jake Bernardo (Fordham) was brought in to relieve Martinez in the top of the seventh, and after a scoreless first frame, he allowed the first three batters to reach against him in his second inning of work. With the bases loaded and no outs, he was pulled for Eddie Fournier (Cypress). Utica's Ryan Sargent (Ohio), the first batter Fournier faced, hit a sacrifice fly to break the scoreless tie. The next batter, Evan Lee (Ashland), hit a single into right.  Over Torres (Yavapai) misplayed the ball in right, allowing Zane Harris (Wright State) to score on the error. The final run scored on the same play, when Jorge Leon (Hendrix) threw the ball away in a run down to allow Devon Garcia (Ohio) to score.

Harris went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored, one of three players to finish with two hits for the Blue Sox. Utica outfielder Taylor Olmstead (Southern N.H.) had a hit and stole his lead-leading 16th bag.  For Newark, Leon went 1-for-2 with a hit by pitch and Jonathan Parker (Jones County J.C.) was 1-for-4 with a double.

The Pilots will travel to Onondaga tomorrow night to face the Flames. The Blue Sox will host Mohawk Valley tomorrow night.