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

TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team hit five home runs, including three by senior Kyle LaVigne in splitting a Liberty League doubleheader, today at Robison Field. RPI won game one, 10-2, before dropping the nightcap, 12-9. With the split, the Engineers are now 9-9 overall (6-2 Liberty), while the Golden Knights move to 8-9 (2-6 Liberty).

Freshman Jared Jensen (Kingston, NY/Kingston) tossed a 7.0-inning complete game in game one to earn his first collegiate victory. He surrendered just two runs on five hits, while striking out six.

A Tanner Boucher (Keene, NH/Keene) single plated sophomore Andrew Kalish (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) for the game's first run. Junior Chuck Erickson (Mansfield, MA/Mansfield) then smacked a two-run double as the Engineers opened up a 3-1 lead after one inning of play.

After adding single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, LaVigne (Ashland, MA/Ashland) launched a two-run homer to cap a four-run sixth for Rensselaer. The long ball was his second in as many innings, tying the school record for home runs in a game with two.

In game two, RPI once again took an early lead, scoring four runs in top of the first inning. Erickson capped the rally with a home run to straight away centerfield.

Clarkson fought back with a two-run second, thanks to an RBI single from freshman Tim Beninati (Schoharie, NY/Schoharie) and a run-scoring groundout from classmate John Coleman (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam).

After the Engineers scored in the top of the third, the Golden Knights pulled even at 5-5 with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Beninanti once again picked up a run-scoring single before sophomore Jared Mattingly (Philadelphia, NY/Indian River) brought in another run with base-hit to center.

A three-run fourth put Clarkson on top for good, as senior Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam) delivered a hit through the right side that plated two. John Coleman then gave the Golden Knights a 10-5 lead with an RBI-single in the fifth.

Sophomore David Wixted (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendohowa) extended the lead to 12-5 with a two-run single in the seventh, before the Engineers mounted a comeback.

LaVigne's third home run of the day highlighted a four-run eighth inning but RPI would not come any closer, falling by a 12-9 score.

The Engineers return to the diamond next Saturday (1pm) and Sunday (12pm), when they host the University of Rochester.