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TROY, N.Y. - New York University (NYU) pitching was the difference-maker as the Violets topped Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Saturday's doubleheader by the scores of 4-2 and 16-2. With the two wins, NYU improves to 19-4 overall, while RPI stumbles to 11-10.

Violets pitcher Cameron Serapilio-Frank was a key contributor for NYU in game one, as he turned in an eight-inning quality start to limit the Engineers' offense.

In the top of the second, the Violets had a runner on second following a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice bunt. RPI starter Brendan McNerney threw a wild pitch to push Cooper Halpern to third base, and Halpern would score after a McNerney error to give NYU the opening lead.

The Engineers mustered a run in the bottom of the second, after a wild pitch from Serapilio-Frank sent home Noah Normyle from third base, after reaching courtesy of a single to left field.

The Violets took the lead back in the fourth inning, after Halpern was hit by a pitch and Scott Hilbrandt walked. The two would advance after a sacrifice bunt by Isaac Martinez, and Halpern crossed the plate after an RBI-groundout courtesy of Francis Prior.

Rensselaer knotted the game again in the fourth inning, after a two-out double from Michael Arboleda. Arboleda crossed the plate on the next at-bat, thanks to an RBI single from Jack Vaccari.

From there, Serapilio-Frank shut the door on the Engineers, as RPI only had two hits until the ninth inning. Serapilio-Frank finished his eight innings of work giving up seven hits, two earned runs, no walks, and striking out four. With the win, Serapilio-Frank improved to 6-0 on the season.

McNerney's day was complete after the fifth inning, where he was relieved by Nick Pacifico. In his five innings, McNerney allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit, six walks, and struck out three.

The Violets added one run in the seventh and another in the eighth inning off of Pacifico to add a cushion to their lead. Pacifico (2-1) was tacked with the loss in his four innings, as he surrendered two earned runs on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. NYU brought in Gabriel Golob in the ninth and he sealed the deal, striking out the first two RPI batters, then forcing a groundout to end the game.

NYU gathered four runs on just five hits and left 13 men on base, while RPI had two runs on seven hits, leaving five men on base. Ryan McLaughlin was the offensive leader for the Violets, going 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and one run scored. RPI was led by Vaccari, who was 2 for 4 with one RBI. 

Christopher Palmiero got the nod for RPI in game two, while Tim Salvadore took the hill for the Violets. NYU got off to the hot start, potting three runs before the Engineers stepped up to the plate, thanks to RBI singles from Jon Iaione and Coltrane Tait, and an RBI double from Halpern.

After another Violets run in the top of the second, RPI got their momentum back in the bottom of the inning. Austin Lawrence led off the inning, reaching base after a hit-by-pitch. Eric Zeppa followed suit, reaching base on a fielder's choice, and pushing Lawrence into scoring position. Christian Spagnuola put RPI on the board, hitting a single to right center, scoring Lawrence. JT Sawyer was next at the plate, and he hit a RBI fielder's choice, as Zeppa crossed to plate to make it a two-run game.

NYU had three more hitters cross the plate in the fourth inning, and Palmiero was replaced after four innings of work. Tacked with the loss, Palmiero (1-1) surrendered seven earned runs on ten hits, two walks, and struck out four Violets.

The Violets kept their momentum going for the remainder of the game, potting an additional eight runs after Palmiero's departure. On the mound, Salvadore rebounded after the second inning, allowing no runs and three hits before being pulled in the seventh. In his six-inning win, Salvadore (4-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. The Violets sent Sal Cammisuli to the mound for the last three innings of the contest, and he earned the save, allowing no runs, three hits, and one walk to help give NYU the win.

NYU scored their 16 runs on 22 hits with 10 men left on base, while RPI scored two runs on seven hits with seven men left. For NYU, McLaughlin went 4 for 5 from the plate with four RBI and a stolen base, while Colman Hendershot was 3 for 4 with four RBI and two stolen bases. Iaione finished his day 3 for 5 with three RBI. For Rensselaer, seven different batters had a hit, with Spagnuola and Sawyer each had one RBI.

The two teams will face off one more time tomorrow at noon at Robison Field.