The Red Hawks created a lot of buzz this weekend, taking three out of four games from the visiting Yellowjackets at Robison Field. Rochester (11-16, 10-6 LL), who came into Troy well ahead of the rest of the pack in the league standings, managed to squeak by 4-3 in the first game of the weekend , but the Red Hawks offense took off in game two and never looked back.
“We made great strides as far as putting hits together,” Head Coach Karl Steffen said. He pointed out that earlier in the season, the team “got ourselves out more then the other pitchers got us out.”
Rensselaer, fresh off a 24-6 drubbing of New Paltz, looked a little sluggish in game one on Saturday. The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on sophomore pitcher Tim Klein (1-2, 2.77 ERA), aided by a two-out error by third-baseman freshman Dan Feenan. Although Klein bounced back, Rochester held on to win 4-3.
After striking out the leadoff hitter, and getting the next batter to ground out, the error by Feenan allowed the first inning to continue, and Rochester hitters compiled four straight hits off Klein.
RPI tried to get back into the game, with junior Jason Pollard and senior Rich Mundy driving in runs in the third, but it was too little, too late for the Red Hawks.
Steffen’s squad did bounce back in a big way that evening, however, posting their season high in runs scored, embarrassing the Yellowjackets 26-9.
Rensselaer jumped on Rochester starter Peter McEneaney right off the bat with eight runs in the first frame, four before an out could be recorded. Aided by three hit batsmen, two wild pitches, and a couple of defensive errors, the Red Hawks batted around the order. Freshman Sean Wilkes and Pollard were the first two to cross the plate, and the inning ended with Pollard getting thrown out at home trying to score for the second time in the inning.
Pollard added a home run later in the game. On the week, the Hudson, NY native batted a team high .565 with an astounding 1.00 slugging percentage. Of his 13 hits, six went for extra bases—three triples, two doubles, and the round tripper. He was named Liberty League Performer of the Week for his contributions.
One of his biggest contributions may not be one that stands out in the box score, but after getting hit by four more pitches this weekend, he raised his total to 19.
“I think he’s number one in the nation,” Steffen half-joked. While the veteran coach doesn’t think Pollard’s stance hangs out over the plate, he praised his ability to “get on base any way he can.”
Sophomore Joe Zongol (4-1, 4.66 ERA) did not have his best stuff on the mound, but it was more than enough to record his fourth win on the season. He went six innings, striking out seven and allowing seven runs, all earned.
On day two, the Red Hawks picked up right where they left off, defeating Rochester 12-7 in the first game. Junior Luke Calzone (6-0, 2.40 ERA) got the win, keeping his perfect record intact.
More impressive for the Red Hawks, however, was their come from behind win in the nightcap. “We got down four runs against a pitcher that kept us from winning the regular season league title last year,” Steffen pointed out.
Junior Adam Lasek, had a tough outing in the field, committing two errors in the first inning, thus allowing Rochester to jump out to that lead.
Rensselaer clawed back, and, down 5-3 in the sixth, freshman Jim Devine stepped up to propel the Red Hawks to victory. Devine blasted a three-run shot over the fence, his second of the year.
“He plays great at the ‘hot corner’,” Steffen commented on his young third-baseman. “I think he’s going to keep getting better.” Devine was named Rookie of the Week by the league.
Senior ace Charlie Yarnold (3-1, 1.25 ERA) pitched his third complete game in four starts, going nine innings for the win. He allowed five runs, only one earned, striking out eight.
“We played the tougher portion of our league schedule,” admitted Steffen. “Hopefully we can go into [the stretch run] with some confidence and be a team to be reckoned with.”
Rensselaer (18-8, 8-4) will play a home and home doubleheader series against league rival Union (7-15, 6-10) next weekend. Although ahead of the Dutchmen in the standings, Steffen says his team will not take them lightly.
“Last year Union beat us. Last year Skidmore beat us. Our guys aren’t in a position to overlook these teams.”
