ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - Freshman Brendan McNerney threw a complete game and junior Sam Lawrence hit a home run to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team to a doubleheader sweep at Bard College on Wednesday. With wins of 7-4 and 4-0, the Engineers improve to 6-15 overall (5-3 Liberty League), while the Raptors drop to 6-13 (1-3 Liberty League).

McNerney (2-2) allowed just three hits - all singles - in 7.0 innings for his first collegiate complete game and shutout in Game 2. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. JP Fisher (0-1) gave up four runs (2 earned) on five hits in 5.0 innings for the Raptors.

Lawrence drove in the game's first run when he reached on an error in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Ethann Meister then tripled home Lawrence for a 2-0 lead.

RPI made it a 3-0 game in the bottom of the second on an RBI-single to left off the bat of junior Justin Valente. 

Lawrence then added an insurance run in the third, launching his first home run of the season over the fence in left.

In Game 1, both teams plated two runs in the first inning.

Adam Carafotes got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI-single from Alec Montecalvo. RPI junior Thomas Desmond answered with a run-scoring double in the bottom half, followed by a sac fly from Meister.

An RBI-single by JT Sawyer gave the Engineers their first lead of the game in the fouth, scoring Yahriel Jimenez.

RPI then put together a four-run bottom of the sixth, to open up a 7-2 lead. Senior Chris Holomakoff and sophomore Weston Hawkins each drove home runs with base hits in the frame.

Bard came back with two runs in the top of the seventh and brough the tying run to the plate, but Stephen Schiavone was able to induce a flyout to end the game.

Sophomore Aaron Kalish (1-2) gave up four runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Evan Richardson (0-3) allowed three runs on five hits in 4.0 innings, picking up two strikeouts and one walk.

RPI is back in action this Saturday, when it visits Skidmore for a doubleheader (1pm). Bard hosts St. Lawrence for four-game series this weekend, starting on Saturday (1pm).