TROY, N.Y. – Senior Joe Curci delivered a walk-off, bases clearing double in the bottom of the seventh inning, to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team to a come-from-behind, 8-7, victory over Skidmore College, on Wednesday afternoon at Robison Field at Karl Steffen Ballpark. The Engineers, who dropped Game 2 of the doubleheader, 5-4, move to 1-5 (1-5 Liberty League), while the Thoroughbreds are now 2-5 (1-3 Liberty League).

Curci (Chicago, IL/University of Chicago High School) capped a five-run rally with his game-winning hit. RPI entered the frame, trailing 7-4, but saw senior Peter Close (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) single with one away to start the rally. After a walk, classmate Jake Defayette (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) ripped a single through the right side of the infield to load the bases. Back-to-back walks followed, scoring two runs, before Curci launched his double to the gap in right center to win the game.

After the two teams traded a pair of runs in the first, the Thoroughbreds plated five in the second to take a 7-2 lead. Sophmore Owen Fitzhugh (Dedham, MA/Noble and Grenough) gave the visitors a 3-2 with a single, followed by a two-run double off the bat of classmate Jackson Hornung (Ashland, MA/Ashland). Senior Sam Browning (Chatham, NY/Chatham) capped the rally with a two-run homer to left.

The Engineers got one run back in the bottom of the fourth, when Curci drilled an opposite field home run – his first of the year – to pull within 7-3.

RPI, which used six pitchers in the game, saw senior righthander Michael Tagaris (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) earn the victory in relief, allow only a hit batter in 2.0 innings. Classmates Chris Grome (Framingham, MA/Dexter Southfield School) and Thomas Neuman (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Westminster Academy) join sophomore Jake Nichols (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) in tossing scoreless frames to keep the Engineers within striking distance.

Sophomore Justin Posnik (Wellesley, MA/Xaverian Brothers) took a no-decision on the hill for Skidmore, allowing just two runs on three hits over 5.0 innings. He struck out three and walked two.

In Game 2, the RPI scored in the bottom of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. Curci once again came through with the run-scoring hit, singling home classmate Richard Drum (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa).

Skidmore took a 2-1 lead in the third, thanks to an RBI-single off the bat of Hornung. An infield single by classmate Max Mello (Hollis, NH/Hollis Brookline) put the visitors in front for good.

The Thoroughbreds added three insurance runs in the top of the fifth, on a three-run homer to left by Browning. Hornung and fellow sophomore Brendan O'Neill (Pleasantville, NY/Pleasantville) came around to score on the long ball for a 5-1 advantage.

For the second straight game, the Engineers rallied in the bottom of the seventh, but their comeback effort fell one run short. Drum drilled a two-run double to draw within 5-3, before a fielder's choice from sophomore Martin Marintchev (Belmont, MA/Belmont) made it a one-run game. Browning came in from center to pitch and induced a ground ball to end the game earn the save on the hill.

Senior Matt McQuaid (Kings Park, NY/Charminade) earned the win in relief, surrendering three runs on three hits in 4.1 innings. He struck out five and walked three. Sophomore Ben Koomey (Arlington, VA/Yorktown) was saddled with the loss, giving up two runs on five hits over 4.0 innings, with three strikeouts.

Curci and Drum went a combined 6 for 14 in the doubleheader with three doubles, two home runs and 10 runs batted in. Hornung was 5 for 7 with a double, a homer, four runs scored and four RBIs to pace the Thoroughbreds at the place.

Rensselaer is back in action on Saturday, when it hosts Ithaca College for a doubleheader (1pm). Skidmore welcomes Bard to Saratoga Springs on Saturday (1pm).