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TROY, N.Y. - Senior Chuck Erickson had three hits, including two home runs, with three runs scored and four runs batted in to lead an 18-hit attack for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team, which defeated Mass. College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), 17-3, in a non-league game at Robison Field. RPI, which broke open the game by scoring six runs in the fourth inning and eight in the fifth, improve to 13-7. The Trailblazers are now 2-14.

Erickson (Mansfield, MA / Mansfield), a lefthanded hitting first baseman, hit his first home run of the day to right field in the second inning, tying the score at 1-1. He then tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth with a solo home run to right centerfield. His third hit of the day was a two-run double off the top of the wall in right centerfield in the Engineers' 8-run fifth inning. He also walked once. Erickson currently leads the Engineers in batting average (.357), runs (19), hits (25), home runs (4), RBI (19), slugging percentage (.671) and walks (12).

Sophomore third baseman Tim LeSuer (Oak View, CA / Nordhoff) and junior designated hitter Brandon Galluppi (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) also had three hits in the win. LeSuer, the leadoff hitter, was 3 for 5 with two runs and two runs batted in. He also stole a base. Galluppi was 3 for 4 with two runs and one knocked in.

Sophomore righthander Reid Roberge (Bristol, CT / St. Paul Catholic) earned the victory by allowing three runs, two earned, and seven hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out two and did not walk anyone in improving to 2-1 this year. Freshman lefthander Greg Echeverria (Longmeadow, MA / Longmeadow) went the final 3.2 innings to earn his first collegiate save. He gave up just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

MCLA got 4.0 innings from starter Cody Weaver (Highland, NY / Highland), who took the loss to fall to 0-5. Of the seven runs he allowed, four were earned. He gave up eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Sophomore Mike Mancivalano (Pittsfield, MA / Pittsfield) had three of the visitors' nine hits, including a pair of doubles. He also scored a run.

Rensselaer returns to Liberty League play with a pair of doubleheaders against RIT at Robison Field. Saturday's first game is at 1pm, while Sunday's action starts at noon. The Trailblazers host Southern Vermont College on Wednesday at 3pm.