TROY, N.Y. - Junior Christopher Palmiero threw a nine-inning, complete game to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of St. Lawrence University, with a 7-1 victory in Game 2 on Friday. The Engineers, who won Game 1, 7-4, improve to 13-13 overall (9-5 Liberty League), while the Saints drop to 5-20 (3-11 Liberty League).

Palmiero allowed one run on three hits in 9.0 innings to improve to 5-0 on the year. He struck out five and did not walk a batter, earning his second complete game of the year on just 92 pitches. His counterpart, Patrick Greenan (0-4) surrendered five runs on 10 hits over 7.0 innings, walking two without a strikeout.

RPI broke onto the board in the bottom of the second, when freshman shorstop George Rainer looped a single to center, plating senior Austin Lawrence from second. A Jack Vaccari sacrifice fly made it 2-0 in the third.

The Engineers doubled their advantage in the fifth, thanks to an RBI-single from Vaccari and an infield hit from Lawrence that brought home freshman Cole Paquin from third. Saints second baseman Jeremy Gerringer knocked the ground ball down, but couldn't corral it as it was headed for center.

St. Lawrence finally got to Palmiero for its only run in the top of the seventh, when first baseman Evan O'Keeffe launched a solo home run to left - his third of the season. 

Vaccari got the run back in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring triple to right center, as Paquin came all the way around to score from first base. The Engineers added two more runs in the eighth, including RBI-base hits from sophomores Jake Defayette and Richard Drum.

In Game 1, Rensselaer jumped out to a 7-0 lead after one inning and held on for the three-run victory. The Saints scored first, plating a single run in the top of the first, before the Engineers expoded for seven on five hits and an error. Vaccari highlighted the rally with an RBI-double, before come home himself on a wild pitch. Lawrence and Drum also chipped in with run-scoring base hits.

St. Lawrence chipped away with one run in the third and two in the sixth to draw within 7-4. O'Keeffe provided power with a solo homer, while Brian Comeford concluded the scoring with a single to left center that scored Cristian Forgione.

Yerby (4-1) worked the first 6.0 innings for the Engineers, allowing four runs (3 earned) on eight hits. He struck out six and walked two. Sophomore Michael Castello earned his first save with a scoreless saventh. Alex Black (2-3) suffered defeat for SLU, giving up seven runs (6 earned) on seven hits in 6.0 innings.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon for a second twin bill, with first pitch scheduled for 12pm.