Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Junior Jared Jensen was the tough luck loser in a 1-0 game one defeat, before driving in the winning run in a, 7-6, walk-off victory in game two against The College of New Jersey, today at Chain of Lakes Park. With the split, the Engineers conclude their Florida trip with an 8-2 record, while the Lions move to 5-4.

TCNJ got a first-inning run to stand up as the winner in game one on the day. An RBI-single off the bat of sophomore Garen Turner (Hainsport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) plated classmate John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) with two away in the frame.

Rensselaer managed to get a baserunner to second base on just three occasions as they it was held to four singles in the contest. Junior shortstop Nick Palmiero (Patterson, NJ/Carmel), who picked up a hit in each game of the doubleheader, extended his hitting streak to eight games.

Jensen (Kingston, NY/Kingston) allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innings, striking out one and walking one. TCNJ starter Connor Smith (West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) threw his second complete game of the spring, allowing four hits in 7.0 innings.

In game two, the Engineers broke onto the scoreboard with a five-run bottom of the third inning. Palmiero and sophomore catcher Michael Croke (South Hadley, MA/South Hadley) both walked with the bases loaded to drive in the first two runs. Nick Annunziata (Neshanic Station, NJ/St. Joseph's) then ripped a hit up the middle to plate two more. Senior Andrew Kalish (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) then drew another walk with the bags packed to cap the rally.

The Lions fought back to within 5-3 in the sixth. An RBI-double from junior Anthony Cocuzza (Absecon, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) brought home TCNJ's first run. Turner followed with his first home run of the season – a two-run shot to left – to make it a two-run game.

TCNJ rallied again in the top of the seventh scoring three times on a double to the corner in right. An errant relay throw allowed both baserunners and the batter all the score on the play.

RPI was forced to put a rally together in the bottom half of the frame. Palmiero singled through the left side of the infield and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Croke. Freshman Thomas Desmond (Alamo, CA/De LaSalle) came in a pinch hitter and flew to left for the second out. Junior Tim LeSuer (Oak View, CA/Nordhoff) then delivered a game-tying single up the middle, before moving to second on throwing error.

Kalish reached on an infield single holding LeSuer at third, but Jensen came up and smacked a single to right to win the game for the RPI.

The Engineers return to the diamond next weekend, when they host Clarkson for a four-game series, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday (1pm). The Liberty League-opening series concludes with a twin bill on Sunday (12pm).