Box Score Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The Castleton State College baseball team scored four runs in the first three innings and held on for a 5-3 victory over ninth-ranked Rensselaer, at Robison Field. With the win the Spartans improve to 5-7 on the season, while the Engineers fall to 8-3.

Senior second baseman Ryan Zielinski (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) got the scoring started, when he launched a solo home run over the right field fence, with one out in the top of the first inning. Castleton St. pushed runners to second and third with two outs in the frame, but RPI senior starting pitcher John Dreimiller (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) was able to escape further damage with a strikeout.

A throwing error by Dreimiller on a pick-off attempted allowed the Spartans' second run to come across the plate in the second inning. Castleton St. struck for two more runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Senior first baseman Ted Mills (Stockbridge, VT/Whitcomb) drove in both with a single through the right side.

Rensselaer was able to find to scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning on a clutch two-out, two-run single by senior first baseman Andrew Krushelnyski (Bloomfield Hills, MI/Brother Rice). Sophomore Billy Nikolski (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) led off the frame with a single. Senior Pat Reardon (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute) then reached on an error, before to two stole second and third, respectively. Krushelnyski then looped a base-hit to right to plate bring home the pair.

The Spartans answered in top of the seventh, scoring a run on a pair of base hits, including a lead-off single by centerfielder Jack Lancelin (Chatham, NY/Chatham), that chased Dreimiller from the contest.

The Engineers pulled to within 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by senior left fielder Camden Mamigonian (Dover, NH/Dover), but were shut out in the ninth.

Castleton St. junior starter Matt Greene (Albany, NY/Colonie) pitched a strong 6.0 innings to pick up his first win of the season in his first start. He surrendered just two unearned runs on four hits, with four strikeouts and two walks. Freshman Patrick Riley (Strafford, VT/Hartford) earned his first collegiate save, throwing the final 3.0 innings, while giving up a run on three hits.

Dreimiller (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (3 earned) on 10 hits in 6.0 innings. He struck out four without a walk. Freshman righthander Steve Manning (Newport Beach, CA/Corona De Mar) went 2.0 innings in relief surrendering a run on one hit with two strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore lefty Sal Palmiero (Paterson, NY/Carmel) pitched a hit-less ninth.

Rensselaer is back on the diamond this weekend, when the host Clarkson University for a Liberty League opening four-game series. Action begins on Saturday with a doubleheader (1pm) and continues on Sunday with second twin bill (12pm). Castleton St. travels to Westfield on Sunday (1pm).