There was some disappointment at Robison Field as the RPI baseball team went 2-2 over the past week.
The Red Hawks defeated the New Paltz Hawks Thursday 13-5, but split a doubleheader Friday against UCAA foe Vassar—winning 3-1 before losing 7-5—and falling to the Western New England College Golden Bears 12-9 Monday.
Rensselaer scored nine runs against New Paltz before allowing the Hawks to score a run.
Collin Adalian and Flynn Cochran led the offense for RPI. Adalian went 3-for-5 with five RBI and Cochran was a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Joe Ihnatoyla also had a good game for the Red Hawks, going 3-for-4 with three RBI.
Junior Chris Sullivan got the win for RPI and Greg Vignoli—who only pitched one inning—took the loss for New Paltz.
Freshman pitcher Luke Calzone continued his season of stellar pitching for RPI in the first game against Vassar. Calzone allowed only one run on four hits and struck out seven. On offense, Cochran scored two runs and Ryan Meron scored one.
Brian Rickert earned his sixth save of the season by pitching two perfect innings. RPI won the game 3-1.
On being the team’s closer, Rickert said, “It’s a huge confidence boost to have the trust of the team.”
The second game was not a good one for RPI, as the Red Hawks committed five errors in the field. Vassar took the lead in the third inning with two unearned runs. Ihnatoyla hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to lead RPI’s offense.
Vassar was leading 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Peter Neylan and Marc Shumsker struck out to start the inning, but RPI began a two-out rally, with Mike Passante and Adalian scoring two unearned runs.
Unfortunately, Vassar closer Quinn Robinson struck out Cochran to end the game 7-5.
The UCAA honored Cochran with Co-Performer of the Week honors for his outstanding play against New Paltz and Vassar.
Cochran leads the team this season in batting average (.394), hits (39), and stolen bases (11).
The disappointment continued for RPI on Monday with a tough 12-9 loss against the Golden Bears.
RPI batted around in the third inning, scoring six runs to take an 8-3 lead. Both Dan Quinn and Brian Marine hit two-run home runs, and Adalian hit a two-RBI double.
The Golden Bears took the lead back with a seven-run fifth inning. RPI was not able to mount a comeback despite Marine getting another home run in the seventh inning.
RPI was scheduled to play a doubleheader in Rochester Sunday, but the games were cancelled due to rain.
The Red Hawks are now 5-1 in the UCAA and 17-11 overall. The team is tied for first in the UCAA with Clarkson, who is 5-3 in conference. The Red Hawks’ two approaching games with Clarkson gives the team some breathing room, but Rensselaer has little room for mistakes.
Clarkson was one of RPI’s strongest opponents last season, and the Golden Knights will be a tough opponent again this year as the Red Hawks set their sights on another conference championship.
“We’re the top dog; everyone guns for us,” Rickert said, “This weekend [against Clarkson and St. Lawrence] could make or break our season.”
RPI will face William Paterson at home today at 3:30 pm before starting a string of road games Thursday against the Mass. College of Liberal Arts at 3:30 pm.
Saturday and Sunday RPI will be at Clarkson and St. Lawrence for two UCAA doubleheaders. Tuesday the Red Hawks will travel to N.J. to play William Paterson at 3:30 pm.
