TROY, N.Y. - Senior Sean Conroy allowed two runs over 7.2 innings to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team to a doubleheader split with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), this afternoon in the Liberty League finale for both teams. After falling 9-7 in game one, the Engineers (22-14; 18-6 Liberty League) bounced back to win 5-2, securing at least a share of the regular season title. The Tigers (21-12; 14-7 Liberty League) qualify for the conference tournament and could finish anywhere from second to fourth.

Game one saw RIT jump out to an early 4-1 lead after two innings, as Rensselaer starting pitcher Charles Parslow (Fonda, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) was chased from the mound after just 2/3 of an inning. Freshman Ben Terzini (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) joined sophomores Will Gorman (Nassua, NY/Columbia) and Phil Sammon (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) with run-scoring hits in a three-run first.

RPI got one run back in the third, a single down the line in left by senior Nick Palmiero (Patterson, NY/Carmel), which plated classmate Tyler Listing (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Park).

Senior centerfielder Jared Jensen (Kingston, NY/Kingston) gave the Engineers the lead with one swing of the bat in the fouth, hammering a 2-2 pitch over the right field fence with two aboard. Jensen's team-leading seventh homer of the season put RPI up 5-4.

The Engineers added two more runs in the sixth to take a 7-4 lead, but a five-run bottom half of the inning gave the Tigers the lead for good. Pinch-hitter Brett Kajganich (North Royalton, OH/Holy Name) and Sammon each had two-RBI base hits during the rally, which included five hits in total.

RIT starter Conor Herlihy (Geneseo, NY/Geneseo) was able to set RPI down in order in the seventh for the complete game win. He allowed seven runs (4 earned) on 11 hits in 7.0 innings. He struck out five and walked one. 

In game two, Rensselaer struck first in the top of the first, as a single by senior Tim LeSuer (Oak View, CA/Nordoff) brought Listing around from second for a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore Thomas Desmond (Alamo, CA/De LaSalle) delivered an opposite field RBI-single in the third, but RIT answered with a single run in the bottom half of the frame to make it 2-1.

The Tigers drew even at 2-2 in the fourth, when Sammond doubled home junior Taylor Hogan (Rochester, NY/Brighton).

RPI regained the lead for good in the sixth, scoring three runs three hits. Sophomore Jason Ramos (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) got the scoring started with an RBI-double to deep left center. Senior Shane Matthews (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Catholic) followed with a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-2. Listing then drove in a run by hitting into a fielder's choice to cap the rally.

Conroy was lifted with two outs in the eighth inning, after throwing 143 pitches. He earned the win (5-1), surrendering two runs on 10 hits in 7.2 innings. He struck out nine without a walk. Junior Stephen Schiavone (White Plains, NY/White Plains) earned his second save of the year, allowing just one hit in a scoreless ninth.

The Engineers will be the top seed when the Liberty League Tournament field is announced on Monday. Play begins at Robison Field on Thursday afternoon, with games times TBD.