Box Score Box Score

LEESBURG, Fla. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team dropped a 10-6 decision to the Gorloks of Webster University this afternoon at the Russ Matt Invitational.  The Engineers are now 1-4 on the young season, while the Gorloks move to 6-4 overall.  

The Engineers got out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as a two-out single from Art Levenson scored Kyle LaVigne from second.  Webster answered with a pair of runs in their half of the second to take a 2-1 lead. 

RPI's Andrew Kalish doubled to start the home half of the second, and a bloop single to center put runners on the corners with nobody out. The Rensselaer batsmen failed to capitalize on the opportunity.

The Gorloks tacked on another run in the third, and were able to chase Engineers' starter Levi Washburn in the fourth with four earned to earn a 7-1 advantage.  Rensselaer cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth, as freshman left fielder Jared Jensen led off with a stand-up triple down the right field line, and Jonny Rio followed with a sacrifice fly on a hard liner to left. 

The teams would trade runs in the seventh, after the Gorloks scored in their half, Kyle LaVigne answered with a solo homerun - his first of the season - that brought the Engineer to within 8-3.  Webster pushed two runs across in the top of the ninth to take a 10-3 advantage, and while Rensselaer brought three runs across on a Chuck Erickson bases clearing double, the Engineers couldn't make up the difference.

Washburn took the loss in his first start of the season, falling to 0-1.  Sean Conroy threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, while Jeremy Lockwood-Menard tossed a scoreless eighth. 

At the plate, LaVigne finished 2 for 5, scoring three runs, while sophomore catcher Eric Kozak reached based successfully in all five of his plate appearances, via three walks and two hit by pitches.  Kalish, Erickson, and Cody Vincent each wrapped in a pair of hits.

Rensselaer returns to action on Tuesday, battling the Ducks of Stevens Institute at 4:30 PM at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla.  Webster faces Transylvania on Wednesday at 12pm in Winter Haven, Fla.