Box Score

LAKE MYRTLE, Fla. – Seniors Andrew Kalish and Al Mersman both went 3 for 5 with three runs batted in to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team to an 18-8 victory over St. Joseph's College (ME) at the Lake Myrtle Complex. With the win, the Engineers improve to 6-1 on the season, while the Monks drop to 6-3.

Rensselaer broke open a tight 2-1 game with a seven-run bottom of the fourth. Junior Nick Palmiero (Patterson, NY/Carmel) led off the inning with an opposite field single. After an out, senior Eric Kozak (New York, NY/Dalton School) and sophomore Nick Annunziata (Neshanic Station, NJ/St. Joseph's) both singled to load the bases. Following an RBI-walk to junior Tim LeSuer (Oak View, CA/Nordhoff), Kalish (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa) drove a triple to the corner in right, platting all three runners, to make it 7-1.

RPI Then took advantage of a St. Joseph's error and another bases loaded walk to score two more runs in the inning.

After the Monks score two in the top of the fifth on an RBI-groundout and a sacrifice fly, the Engineers stormed back with a six-run bottom of the seventh to put the game away. Mersman (Newark, DE/Salesianum) drove in a pair with a double down the line in left, before Palmiero scored two more with a single to third.

Senior Sean Conroy (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) earned his first win of the year, allowing five runs (4 earned) on six hits in 7.2 innings. He struck out eight, while walking just one. Freshman Nick Malatesta (Wrentham, MA/King Philip) was saddled with the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings.

The Engineers return to action tomorrow morning, when they face Gordon College (9:30am).