SALISBURY, Md. - Junior Tyler Hrycak hit two home runs and drove in three to lead the fourth-ranked Salisbury University baseball team to an 11-5 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this afternoon in non-league action at the SU Baseball Field. With the win, the Gulls improve to 6-0, while the Engineers drop to 0-3.

After two scoreless innings, the hosts got to RPI starting pitcher Sean Conroy (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), scoring a run in the third, on an RBI-single by senior left fielder Jordan Gowe (Easton, MD/St. Michaels). Salisbury made it a 4-0 game in the fourth, taking advantage of a pair of Engineers errors. Hrycak (Hockessin, DE/St. Mark's) capped the inning with a solo homer to left.

Rensselaer fought back, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, to draw within 4-2. Sophomore Thomas Desmond (Alamo, CA/De LaSalle) got things started by driving home senior Shane Matthews (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Catholic) with an infield single. Sophomore Bailey McAuliffe (Frederick, MD/Tuscarora) then ripped a double to straight away center, which brought Desmond around from second.

Salisbury exploded for six runs in the bottom of the frame. With a runner aboard, Hrycak homered for the second time in the game to make it 6-2. Senior Danny Breen (Owings, MD/Northern) followed that up with a home run of his own. The Gulls then loaded the bases for Gowe, who unloaded them with a double to the gap in right center. Junior Jake Dmiterchik (Milton, DE/Cape Henlopen) put the hosts up 11-2 with an RBI-single to right.

The Engineers did not go quietly in the ninth, scoring three times on just one hit. Senior captain Tyler Listing (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Park) plated a run with a single, before freshman Christian Spagnuola (Commack, NY/Commack) came home on a wild pitch. Sophomore Sitarski (The Woodlands, TX/The Woodlands) brought RPI to within 11-5 with a run-scoring groundout.

Desmond finished 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. McAuliffe was 1 for 2, while classmate Justin Valente (West Palm Beach, FL/Saint Andrews) went 1 for 3 with a run batted in.

RPI is back on the diamond next Saturday, when it opens its Liberty League schedule against Skidmore in Winter Haven, Fla. The Engineers will play a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday (1pm) and Sunday (12pm) against the Thoroughbreds.