Box Score
TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team extended its winning streak to 13 games with an 8-1 victory over Hartwick in non-conference action at Robison Field this afternoon. With the win, the Red Hawks improve to 28-8 overall and are now winners of 23 of their last 25 games. Hartwick falls to 10-15 on the season.
The visitors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first off an error by the RPI shortstop. After a pair of singles by the Hawks, pitcher Matt Kelly (Stillwater, NY/Stillwater) sent a slow hopper toward the shortstop Matt Muscatiello (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) whose throw went by the first baseman allowing the runner to score.
Senior Michael Passante (Highland, NY/Highland) got the Red Hawks going in the bottom of the first when he singled and advanced to second on an error. Catcher Jason Pollard (Hudson, NY/Hudson) walked and first baseman Joe Ihnatolya (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) cleared the bases with a 2-run triple. Second baseman Rich Mundy (Norwood, NY/Norwood-Norfolk) singled, bringing in Ihnotolya from third to give the Red Hawks the 3-1 lead heading into the second inning.
Rensselaer would add two more runs in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on two Hartwick errors for a 5-1 lead. The Hawks mounted a comeback in the top of the sixth with back-to-back singles from Kelly and right fielder Nick Paslow (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), but Red Hawks relief pitcher Ryan Ool (Middletown, NY/Middletown) came up big striking out catcher Mike Palanza (Waverly, NY/Waverly) to end the inning.
The homestanding Red Hawks added runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and the RPI bullpen shutdown the Hartwick offense, allowing six hits and no runs with four walks and seven strikeouts through the final six innings. Senior Dan Walker (Troy, NY, Troy) picked up his first win of the season on the mound for Rensselaer. He allowed two hits and one earned run through three innings.
Offensively RPI was led by Ihnotolya, who went 2 for 5 with two runs and two RBI. Passante was 4 for 4 with two runs scored and a stolen base. He also set the record for walks in a season with 40, breaking Eric Majeski’s mark of 39 set in 1994.
Hartwick was paced by second baseman Brad Polcare (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs), who was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Paslow was 2 for 3 while Kelly picked up the loss on the mound for the Hawks, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 13 hits with two walks and two strikeouts through six innings.
Rensselaer returns to action on Saturday (1pm) when it hosts Liberty League rival Vassar for a doubleheader at Robison Field.
