Timely pitching, powerful hitting, and staunch defense carried the Red Hawks to their second straight weekend sweep. The 12th-ranked Red Hawks have won 11 straight, including their first four UCAA games.
In the Wednesday game against Hartwick, first baseman Dan Quinn led Rensselaer to a 20-2 victory. The Hawks were overmatched by RPI in every department, getting outhit 23-7. The Red Hawk offense exploded, hitting four doubles, three triples, and four home runs. Quinn was three for three with a double, two home runs, and six RBI. Travis Teeter also had a big day, going five-for-six, scoring five runs, and driving in three with a triple and a home run. Flynn Cochran added a home run to the winning effort, and Max Miller pitched five innings to nab the win for the Red Hawks—he was named UCAA Pitcher of the Week.
Thursday saw Rensselaer travel to Newburgh to play against the Mount Saint Mary Blue Knights. Brian Brzek pitched five solid innings en route to his first victory of the season. Tim Egan and Teeter had three hits each to lead the Red Hawks to an 11-4 win. Rensselaer knocked seven Blue Knight pitchers off the mound, letting no pitcher last for more than two innings in the blowout.
With Saturday’s doubleheader against Union rescheduled to Monday, Rensselaer next took the field against Skidmore. The pitching staff posted strong outings in both games, surrendering only one run between them.
In the first game of the doubleheader, both pitchers put in strong performances. Rensselaer sophomore Max Miller had three strikeouts and scattered six hits over seven innings, surrendering just one run off a softly hit sacrifice fly. Skidmore starter Tom Kuchart gave up only four hits and three walks but took the loss. Travis Teeter was the MVP of the game with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored for the Red Hawks.
The Red Hawks offense again flexed its power against an overmatched opponent early when Teeter ripped a two-run blast in the first inning to put the Red Hawks up 2-0. Matt Faraone’s home run to straight-away center in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly in the sixth by Tim Egan provided insurance for the Red Hawks.
In the second game, Pat Hughes pitched a complete game shutout, giving up only four hits and one walk and striking out seven. The offense used a two-pronged attack of speed and power to pound the Thoroughbreds, knocking out 20 hits, three home runs, and four steals.
Teeter led the Red Hawks with five RBI and four runs scored; he was named UCAA Player of the Week. Quinn also continued his recent hot hitting with two hits, three RBI, and one run scored in five at-bats.
Although the Red Hawks had scored six runs by the third inning, they didn’t get overconfident. They continued to exercise good baserunning and to take advantage of the Thoroughbreds’ mistakes throughout the game.
With UCAA rival Union in town on Monday, Rensselaer got some clutch hitting to sweep the day. In game one, the Dutchmen took a 6-2 lead on a pair of three-run homers by James Griglun. RPI stormed back, though, driving home eight runs in the fourth. RPI batted around, aided by four Union errors—eight straight batters came to the plate before the Dutchmen could get an out. Hughes and Matt Faraone each had a single and a home run to lead the surging Red Hawks. David Hubbs overcame a shaky start to pitch a complete game, giving up nine hits and three earned runs on his way to his second win of the year.
The second game saw Union come back and close a 4-1 deficit to tie up the game in the fifth inning. RPI scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to clinch their eleventh straight victory. Teeter scattered seven hits to get his third win of the year, striking out 11 Union batters. Marine hit a home run, and Seth Shuket and Faraone each had two hits.
The Red Hawks are now 19-6 on the season, and tied with Clarkson for the UCAA lead with a 4-0 conference record. They play Utica at home on Thursday and then travel to Vassar and Rochester for weekend doubleheaders.
