SOPHOMORE PITCHER AARON KALISH LOOKS to the first baseman before firing.Baseball spent this past Saturday at Bard College, where they split their doubleheader 1-1 with the Raptors.
The Engineers started their first game of the afternoon with two successful innings. Sophomore rightfielder Weston Hawkins started off the first inning with a walk, and junior outfielder Thomas Desmond singled to left field. Sophomore shortstop Ethann Meister smacked a double into center field, sending both runners home.
The second inning was even better for the Engineers. Senior catcher Chris Holomakoff reached first on an error, stole second, and advanced to third on a hit by sophomore leftfielder Christian Spagnuola. A sacrificial bunt by Hawkins allowed Holomakoff to score and Spagnuola to advance. Later in the inning, Spagnuola scored on a throwing error by Bard shortstop Preston Gittelson. A double by junior first baseman Jason Ramos to center field sent two more home, bringing the score to 6-0.
Bard chalked up two runs—one in each of the two following innings, but it would be the only runs the Raptors would score for the game. The sixth inning brought in two more runs for the Engineers, just for good measure. One came from Spagnoula, who scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Desmond, and the other came from Hawkins, who scored on a single by Ramos. Senior pitcher Stephen Schiavone earned a complete game victory as Rensselaer won 8-2.
Then, in what seems to be a theme for the season, the Engineers started off game two with a rough first inning, allowing Bard to rack up five runs by the end of the first.
The Raptors posted their first run on after a throwing error by senior catcher Michael Croke allowed Bard’s David Schlosser to steal home. A single to right field by Gittelson drove in two more runs, putting Bard up 3-0. Another Bard single to left sent two more runners home, leaving the Engineers down 5-0.
Spagnuola started the second with a walk. Croke, next at bat, advanced Spagnuola to second when he was hit by a pitch. Both players stole after a wild pitch. Then, freshman Tyler Stephens grounded to Bard’s shortstop, allowing Spagnuola to increment RPI’s score.
Rensselaer chipped away at Bard’s lead again in the third through a pair of walks by Spagnuola and Croke with the bases loaded, bringing the score at 5-3. The Engineers tried to capitalize more on the load bases, but sophomore third baseman J.T. Sawyer grounded into a double play, ending the inning.
Back at it again in the top of the fourth, the Engineers scored off Ramos’ sacrifice fly ball to left field that allowed Desmond to score.
The bottom of the inning proved profitable for the Raptors, who were able to extend their lead just as RPI was closing in. A combination of singles, walks, and a wild pitch brought the score to 9-4.
The Engineers struck back, chalking up two runs in the fifth from Hawkins and Spagnuola.
RPI was unable to score any more runs for the remainder of the game, while the Raptors put up two more; one in the seventh and one in the eighth. The second game concluded 11-6.
The Engineers are back in action this weekend against Skidmore College, with a doubleheader away on Saturday and a home doubleheader Sunday afternoon.