RPI faced down the Red Dragons of Oneonta last Wednesday in the first game of the season at Robison Field, holding off a late rally to go on to a 9-5 victory.

Brian Marine provided much of the offense, driving in three runs on two hits, including a two-run homer that tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. Flynn Cochran and Dan Quinn each added a pair of RBI for the Red Hawks.

On the hill, Travis Teeter provided a quality start, giving up three earned runs and striking out 10 in six and two-thirds innings of work. Brian Brzek came on to pitch the eighth inning, allowing just one walk to complete the win—the game was called at that point due to darkness.

An eight-run seventh inning was the downfall of Rensselaer in Thursday’s matchup against Montclair State. RPI led 5-1 at that point, but the Rensselaer bullpen could not bail out starter David Hubbs. Justin Pappas was tagged for the loss after retiring none of the three batters that he faces.

RPI’s offense did a nice job of trying to battle back, scoring two runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth, but fell short in the end. Quinn and Scott Gianoni each homered for Rensselaer, and Matt Faraone went 2-for-3 with a pair of triples.

The long ball was the big problem for the Red Hawks on Friday against Cortland—Ben Albright and Cory Haggerty each hit a pair of home runs for the Red Dragons en route to a 12-6 win.

Starting pitcher Max Miller didn’t make it out of the third inning, and replacement Brian Rickert fared little better—Cortland scored in each of the first five frames. Aaron Seibert came on in the fifth and provided three and a third innings of solid relief, but Cortland teed off on Eric Thunell, who pitched the ninth inning for the Red Hawks.

On offense, Pat Hughes crushed a two-run shot over the trees beyond left field, and David Hubbs also went deep on Red Dragons starter Matt Miller. Marine also had another good game, going two for three with a double.

The good news for the Red Hawks is that they’re hitting quite well. Rensselaer amassed 23 runs and 27 hits in three games. But the defense has been poor—RPI committed eight errors leading to five unearned runs last week. The Red Hawks are not running the bases well—against Cortland, most of RPI’s runners were heading back to the bag as the pitch was delivered.

Worst of all, Rensselaer’s vaunted pitching staff took a pounding, especially the bullpen, which is keenly feeling the loss of closer Eddie Haldeman, who left the team over spring break for personal reasons.