Courtesy of UofRAthletics.com
TROY, NY – The University of Rochester baseball team split a conference doubleheader with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the second straight day, winning game one before falling by one run in game two.
The Yellowjackets (2-8, 2-2 Liberty League), were able to build out a late lead in the opener and held on for a 7-4 victory. RPI (9-8, 5-3 Liberty League) then won game two, edging out Rochester 5-4.
In game one, RPI was able to score first, tallying two runs in the top of the second inning, as physical home teams in the Liberty League bat as the visitors on day two of conference weekends. JT Sawyer and Christian Spagnuola provided the RBI hits for the Engineers, giving them a 2-0 lead off Rochester starter Jack Denzer.
UR’s Jack Herman blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the second, and sophomore Kyle Trombley scored on a wild pitch in the third inning to even the score at 2-2.
The Yellowjackets then scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to blow the game open. Aiden Finch had a two-run double, Grant Kilmer singled in Finch and Aaron Craig drove in two more with a single to right.
After allowing the two early runs, Denzer was able to settle in, sitting down 12 of the next 14 Engineer batters, getting through the sixth up 7-2.
It wasn’t until the top of the seventh that RPI was able to get multiple runners on. After a leadoff single, followed by a walk, Denzer then got two outs back-to-back to sit one out from a complete game.
RPI then recorded a single and drew two walks to score two runs, trimming the lead to 7-4, chasing Denzer from the game. First-year reliever Hank Powers was then able to come into the game and record the final out, picking up his first collegiate save in the process.
Eight different Yellowjackets had one hit in the game, with Herman having the best game, going 1-1 with the homer, two walks and two runs scored.
Denzer ended up going 6.2 innings and allowed eight hits, four runs and three walks. He struck out six.
Holding a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning, RPI plated three runs to build a 4-0 lead and eventually hold on for a 5-4 win in the night cap.
Rochester was able to chip away with a Finch sac fly in the fifth, only to see RPI get one right back in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Craig delivered his third RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly, and then Trombley capitalized on a RPI passed ball to make the score 5-3.
UR stranded two on base in the seventh, but got one additional run in the eighth, coming on a Corey Ziring groundout to make it 5-4 heading to the final inning. There, the Yellowjackets couldn’t plate Finch who reached on a two-out single.
Trombley finished game two 3-4 with a double, stolen base and two runs scored. Rieth also had a three-hit game, going 3-5 at the plate.
On the mound, Jon Turk tossed four innings in his first career start, allowing five hits and three runs (2 earned) with one walk and three strikeouts. Michael Audet threw 1.1 innings of relief and Will Conroy pitched well over the final 3.2 innings, striking out four and only allowing two hits.
RPI’s Erick Zecha picked up the win, going six innings while striking out ten ‘Jackets. Ethann Meister led the Engineers in game two, going 3-5 with a double, 2 RBI and a run scored. Jack Vaccari was 3-4 with a triple and Spagnuola went 2-4 with a double and run scored.
UR is back in action on Tuesday for a road matchup at Ithaca College at 4 pm.
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