Game 1 Box Score / Game 2 Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Junior centerfielder Sean Wilkes (Troy, NY/Catholic Central) went 5 for 9 with four runs to help the Rensselaer baseball team to a sweep of Vassar. The Red Hawks, who won 8-2 and 11-7, improve to 14-1 overall and 6-0 in Liberty League play. The Brewers fall to 4-4 and 0-2.

After a scoreless first in the opener, Rensselaer picked up two runs inthe second inning. Leftfielder Camden Mamigonian (Dover, NH/Dover) led off with a double against Vassar starting pitcher Dan Orme (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin) and was driven in on a single by first baseman Ken Carroll (Shelton, CT/Fairfield Prep). The Red Hawks added their second run on a Brewers’ error.

Vassar came back with two runs of the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and one out, senior Mike Murn (Huntington, NY/Harborfields) hit a slow roller up the middle that plated sophomore Adam Murphy (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood). Vassar tied the score when freshman shortstop Joe Castilla (Weston, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) came around on a throwing error.

The Brewers did not score another run against RPI starter Joe Zongol (Flower Mound, TX/Southington). The lefthander struck out nine batters and allowed just four singles in his seven-inning, complete game win.

RPI took the lead for good in the top of the fourth, picking up three runs on three straight hits and a wild pitch. The big hit was an opposite field double from senior catcher Stevan Slusher (Pedricktown, NJ/Penns Grove). The Red Hawks added three insurance runs in the seventh, starting with a leadoff triple from Wilkes and ending with an RBI triple from Patrick Reardon (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute).

Orme completed seven innings in defeat. The senior righthander scattered 11 hits in seven innings. He allowed six earned runs, struck out two and walked one.

RPI jumped out to an 8-0 lead on its way to winning the second game. Wilkes went 3 for 3 with three runs in the first three innings, while Reardon drove in four runs on two doubles, a single and a sacrifice fly. Junior third baseman Jim Devine (Castleton, NY/Columbia) scored three runs in the first six innings of play.

The Brewers got on the scoreboard with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Castilla led off with a single up the middle and scored on a double from fellow freshman David Ringold (Seattle, WA/ Ballard). Catcher Mike Plude (Shelton, CT/Notre Dame Catholic) added a sacrifice fly and designated hitter Clancy Philbrick (Stonington, CT/The Williams School) chipped in with an RBI single.

After Rensselaer extended its lead to 10-3 in the top of the seventh, the Brewers rallied, scoring another three runs in the bottom half of the inning. The big hit was a two-run double from second baseman Ari Glantz (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin). The Brewers loaded the bases with two outs, bringing the tying run to the plate but Red Hawks reliever Andrew Novick (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) ended the threat by inducing a pop-up.

Wilkes paced the Red Hawks’ offense in the second game, finishing with four hits, three runs and an RBI in six plate appearances. He added a stolen base.

The two teams meet again on Wednesday in a doubleheader at Robison Field in Troy (2pm).