Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 Box / Game 2 Box

TROY, N.Y. – Senior third baseman Scott Robinson tied a school record by driving in nine runs in game two as the Rensselaer baseball team swept a doubleheader against Union, at Robison Field. Winning by scores of 11-2 and 26-13, the Engineers improve to 14-9 overall and 4-6 in the Liberty League, while the Dutchmen fall to 5-16 (1-9 Liberty).

Robinson (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) went 6 for 9 in the two games, with three home runs, seven runs scored and 11 runs batted in. His nine-RBI outburst in game two tied the Rensselaer single-game record, matching Collin Adalian (2002 vs. NYU) and Brett Johnson (1987 vs. Union). Robinson's two home runs in the contest also equaled a single-game best at RPI, with senior Patrick Reardon (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute) accomplishing the feat most recently (2009 vs. Clarkson).

The Engineers broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning of game one, when junior Billy Nikolski (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) singled and eventually came around on a Dutchmen throwing error. Rensselaer broke the game open in the next frame, scoring four times on four hits, including a two-run double by Nikolski.

A two-run double by senior first baseman Andrew Krushelnyski (Bloomfield Hills, MI/Brother Rice) contributed to a four-run fifth inning as the hosts pushed their advantage to 9-0. Union found the board in the top of the sixth, finally getting to RPI sophomore starting pitcher Dan Duval (Middletown, MA/Masconomet), but the Engineers we able to answer in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs of their own, as Robinson hit a ball over the right field fence for the first of his three on the afternoon.

Duval (4-1) earned his second complete-game victory of the season, surrendering just two runs on five hits, with four strikeouts and one walk in 7.0 innings.

Game two saw Rensselaer strike early and often as Robinson hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Engineers then scored two in the second and nine in the third, sending 12 men to the plate. The frame was highlighted by Nikolski's first career grand slam and a two-run single by Reardon.

The Dutchmen fought back in the top of the fourth scoring six times to pull within 14-6. Freshmen Joe Privitera (Rotterdam, NY/Niskayuna) and Emmanuel Fabre (Bronx, NY/James Monroe) each came through with run scoring base-hits in the inning. RPI came back with a four-run bottom of the fourth to make it an 18-6 game, as Robinson launched another three-run shot to right.

After scoring one in the top of the fifth, the Dutchmen put another six-spot on the board with senior right fielder Paul Mene (Falls Church, VA/George Mason) delivering a two-run single in the middle of the rally. The Engineers put together a five-run bottom of the frame to make 23-13, as Robinson picked up an RBI-single to go along with sacrifice flies from seniors Camden Mamigonian (Dover, NH/Dover) and Krushelnyski.

RPI added three more runs in the bottom of the seventh to bring the game to its final margin.

Senior John Dreimiller (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) earned the win allowing 11 runs on 14 hits. He struck out six, while walking three in 5.0 innings. Sophomore righthander Jeremy Lockwood-Menard (Chelsea, PQ/Ashbury College) was credited with the save, throwing 3.0 innings of two-hit baseball. He struck out three, while walking just one.

Nikolski finished the day a combined 7 for 10 with a double, a grand slam, five runs scored and eight runs batted in. Sophomore Kyle Lavigne (Ashland, MA/Ashland) went 4 for 6 with four runs and an RBI in game two, while freshman Jonny Rio (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) ended up 4 for 7 with four runs and two RBI.

Leading the way for Union was Mene, who went 4 for 6 with a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in. Senior shortstop Andy Brown (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) finished 4 for 4 with two runs and one RBI.

Both sides are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they square off for a doubleheader in Schenectady (2pm).