WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team pounded out 10 hits this morning and rallied in the late innings, but it wasn't enough as William Paterson was able to hold for a 9-8 victory at Chain of Lakes Stadium on Tuesday. With the win, the Pioneers improve to 7-4 on the season, while the Engineers drop to 1-9.

For the second straight game, RPI allowed eight first-inning runs and was not able to recover. Freshman righthander Patrick McMackin was charged with all eight (4 earned) in 2/3 of an inning. He struck out two and walked one, giving up five hits.

The Engineers got a run back in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by junior Sam Lawrence.

After RPI cut the deficit to 8-2 in the third, William Paterson made it a 9-2 in the fifth.

Rensselaer then picked up one the sixth, as junior Jason Ramos brought home Christian Spagnuola with a fielder's choice groundout. 

A hit and a walk to open the seventh sparked a five-run inning for the Engineers. Senior Chris Holomakoff dropped down a sac bunt, moving Yahriel Jimenez and Ethann Meister to second and third, respectively. Back-to-back singles from Spagnuola and Matt Lawrence cut the Pioneers lead in half (9-6), before junior Thomas Desmond launched his third home run of the year.

RPI was unable to find the tying run, as William Paterson closer Bryan Kopko was able shut the door, pitching a perfect eighth and ninth for his second save of the season.

Sophomore righty Nick Busby provided some much needed relief for the Engineers, allowing five hits in 3.1 innings. Senior Charles Parslow allowed a hit and a walk in 2.1 innings, striking out one.

The Engineers are back in action on Wednesday, when they face Babson at 2pm. William Paterson duels Springfield tomorrow (11am).