While the rest of us were relaxing over spring break, RPI’s very own boys of summer were slugging their way through baseball spring training in sunny Florida. It was a mixed showing for the Red Hawks, who were crushed twice by Virginia Wesleyan and lost a close one to the Green Knights of St. Norbert before turning it around and winning four in a row.
The first day of action, March 9, saw the Red Hawks taking on St. Norbert. Starting Pitcher Travis Teeter pitched five strong innings, allowing only a single hit and three walks while striking out six. The bullpen wasn’t able to keep up the intensity, however, as Sophomore Justin Pappas was socked for 3 runs in the eighth before being replaced by Freshman Erik Thunell, who in turn promptly gave up 2 (admittedly, unearned) runs all before the first out of the inning. Those 5 runs would be all St. Norbert would score, but it was all they needed. The Red Hawks rallied in the ninth, but were unable to overcome the deficit, losing 5-4.
The doubleheader against Virginia Wesleyan on day two was even worse for RPI. A key error by shortstop Brendan Witherell led to 4 unearned runs in the fourth inning en route to a 9-6 loss in the opener, followed by a horrific eleventh inning in the nightcap in which the Red Hawks gave up 10 runs, losing by that deficit, 21-11.
RPI began to turn things around on March 11 against Florida Tech, as starter Howard Miller scattered nine hits and 3 earned runs over six and a third innings while rookie First Baseman Scott Gianoni crossed the plate twice off two doubles, and the Red Hawks won a squeaker, 6-5. RPI showed strong defense, turning three double plays.
From there on out, the Red Hawks were on cruise control, sweeping the doubleheader against Defiance on March 13 and then thrashing the Husson Braves 9-4 on March 16. Teeter pitched a gem against Defiance in the opener, tossing a four-hit complete game shutout. Six players had at least one hit in that game, but the story was all Teeter, who simply dominated, whiffing five without giving up a single walk.
Strong pitching powered the Red Hawks’ win in the second game against Defiance as well, with Sophomore Pat Hughes pitching a great six and a third innings, giving up 2 earned runs off three hits. Three wild pitches and four walks jaded his otherwise solid performance, though, but Junior Hurler Ed Halderman was able to come in and deliver the final two outs of the game to earn the save—the final score 7-4.
