TROY, N.Y. - Sophomore Michael Castello held on for a 2.1-inning save as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team salvaged a doubleheader split with St. Lawrence University on Saturday afternoon at Robison Field. The Engineers, who the nightcap, 7-6, after falling 11-6, move to 14-14 overall (10-6 Liberty League). The Saints are now 6-20 (4-12 Liberty League).

RPI built a 7-0 lead in support of senior righthander Brendan McNerney in Game 2, only to see the Saints whitle the lead down to just one in the final inning. McNerney (1-0) allowed one run on three hits over 6.1 innings, striking out seven and walking three.

Junior Jack Vaccari got the scoring started in the top of the first, driving a single to left that scored freshman Cole Paquin. After three scoreless frames, the Engineers broke the game open in the fifth, plating five runs on just three hits and three St. Lawrence errors. Sophomore Joseph Curci plated the first run with a single to center, before classmate Peter Close ripped a base hit down the line in left, scoring senior Austin Lawrence from third. Freshman Jake Chekian capped the rally with a ground rule double to left center, making it 6-0.

A Lawrence double that hopped over the wall in the sixth made it a 7-0 lead.

The Saints then carved into the deficit with a five-run seventh, highlighted by a three-run homer to left from designated hitter Andrew Circelli, which made it 7-5.

Following a scoreless eighth, St. Lawrence loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, before Joe DeGuardia lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing the Saints to within 7-6. Castello induced another fly ball to center to end the game.

Castello, who earned his second save in as many days, did not allow a hit over the final 2.1 innings, striking out one and walking three. Cameron Morrissey (1-4) surrendered six runs (3 earned) on nine hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

In Game 1, the Saints jumped on the Engineers pitching early, taking a 9-3 lead after just two innings of play. DeGuardia got the scoring started with a bases-clearing double down the right field line in the opening frame. Cristian Forgione followed with a two-run homer as part of he five run first.

After RPI got three back in the top of the second, a four-run bottom half followed, which included RBI hits from Nicholas Butler and Circelli.

Sophomore Jake Defayette double-home a pair in the RPI fourth, before Paquin brought home another with a single to draw within 9-6. The Engineers did not climb any closer, however, as the Saints were able to tack on two in the bottom of the fourth.

Caleb Clarke (2-1) went the distance for St. Lawrence, giving up four runs (3 earned) on nine hits over 7.0 innings. He struck out eight and walked three. Erick Zecka (0-6) was saddled with the loss, allowing seven runs on five hits in 1.0 inning of work. Sophomore Jake Nichols worked 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

RPI is back on the diamond next weekend, when it visits Clarkson University for a four-game set. The Saints head to Hamilton College for a non-league game on Tuesday.