Baseball tripped up at RPI 11-5 in non league action
Troy, NY- The Rensselaer Baseball team broke open a tight game in the middle innings and went on to defeat the MCLA Trailblazers 11-5 this afternoon at Robinson Field. The Engineers improve to 11-8 overall while the Trailblazers drop to 8-6 on the season.
The game was scoreless through four innings as both sides had some chances, however starting pitchers Patrick McMackin (RPI) and Brendan Kelly (MCLA) kept them off the board. In the fifth, RPI finally broke through against Kelly.
A squeeze bunt from Hudson Livesey started the scoring and RPI led 1-0. The would increase the lead when Michael Arboleda ripped a two run single making it 3-0 after five innings of play. MCLA got a run back in the top of the sixth on Antonio Archina's RBI knock to make it 3-1, but RPI extended the lead and ultimately chased Kelly in the bottom half.
An infield single and a pair of walks loaded the bases for Livesey. He walked to score Ethann Meister making it 4-1. Christian Spagnuola delivered the key blow off MCLA's Kody Crosier scoring two runs and increasing the lead to 6-1 thru six frames.
RPI added two in the seventh and three in the eighth for a commanding 11-2 advantage. MCLA would add three runs in the ninth to account for the final margin.
The Trailblazers were paced by Jake Ferrara's efforts as the first year third baseman went 3-3 with an RBI and scored twice. Archina added a pair of hits for MCLA while Brett LaBonte's two run double in the ninth provided the final Trailblazer runs.
Kelly was solid in his five innings of work, but was tabbed with the loss (0-1). He struck out a pair of RPI batters and allowed five runs, but just two were earned.
RPI belted out 15 hits on the afternoon and used four pitchers to earn the win. Chris Grome was credited with the win tossing three innings of relief, allowing just one run and striking out four batters.
MCLA is back in action on Sunday when they head to Fitchburg State for a MASCAC twinbill. The Trailblazers will be the home team.