Box Score

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Senior Mike Campisi threw 8.0 strong innings and Al Mersman paced the offense with three hits and three RBI as the Rensselaer baseball team defeated Washington College, 8-2, today. RPI improves to 6-2 overall with its fourth straight win, while the Shoreman fall to 5-7.

RPI took an early 3-0 lead in the 1st, on just one hit. Andrew Kalish was hit by a pitch, and Jonny Rio reached on an error. After a walk to Chuck Erickson, they both would score on an error by the Shoremen first baseman. Erickson came around to score on a single off the bat of Al Mersman.

The Engineers tacked another run on in the home half of the 2nd. Eric Kozak singled with one out, coming around to score from first on a double off the bat of Andrew Kalish. 

Campisi held the Shoremen at bay through four, but Washington scored single runs in the 5th and 6th. The Shoremen got on the board in the top of the fifth when Sean Connole doubled to left-center to drive in Brian Quadrino, who reached on a hit by pitch. The RPI lead was cut to 4-2 in the top of the 6th, when with one out, Tyler Cotterell singled to left to score freshman Bryan Baquer.

Washington College threatened in the 7th, putting runners on second and third with one out. Centerfielder Jared Jensen made a spectacular diving catch on a ball headed for the gap, and the Engineers were able to double up the Shoremen base-runner at third to end the inning.

The Engineers would put the game further out of reach with a four-run 7th. Tim LeSuer walked to lead off the inning, and Andrew Kalish reached on an attempted sacrifice bunt that was mishandled. Rio drove in LeSuer with a single to left for a 5-2 lead.  Kalish advanced to 3rd on a deep fly ball to right off the bat off Erickson, and Matthews drove him home with a single to left and a 6-2 lead. Rio and Matthews executed a double steal to put runners on second and third. Mersman then lashed his third hit of the game, a two-RBI double down the left field line to push the lead to 8-2.

Campisi scattered eight hits over 8.0 innings, allowing two earned runs while hitting two batters, walking two and striking out one. Mersman finished 3 for 4 with three RBI and a stolen base.  Andrew Kalish was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Jonny Rio added two runs scored.

RPI is back in action tomorrow against regional foe Brockport State (7-1). It is the final game of the Florida trip for the Engineers. First pitch from Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida is scheduled for 2pm.