TROY, N.Y. - The University of Rochester baseball team picked up victories of 8-3 and 5-4 over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to open Liberty League play on Saturday afternoon at Robison Field at Karl Steffen Ballpark. With the doubleheader sweep, the Yellowjackets improve to 12-4 overall (2-0 Liberty League), while the Engineers drop to 7-7 (0-2 Liberty League).

Rochester got off to fast start in Game 1, scoring runs in the top of the first inning. Matt Cappelletti got things started with an RBI-single, before Joseph Rende plated a pair with a double to center.

The Engineers got two runs back in the bottom of the third, when Jake Defayette stroked his team-leading fourth home run of the season.

An RBI-double from Brian McKinsey ignited a three-run top of the sixth for Rochester, which was followed by a two-run single from Colby Cruser for a 6-1 advantage.

Defayette plated RPI's third run of the game in the seventh, when he grounded out to third, scoring Ayush Krishnappa.

The Yellowjackets added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth, while Thomas Karpishin put up 3.0 innings of one-run, four-hit relief to earn his first save of the year.  

RPI starter Ryan Yerby (1-2) gave up six runs on nine hits over 6.0 innings, notching three strikeouts and one walk. Nolan Sparks (2-0) surrendered two runs on five hits over 6.0 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

Game 2 saw the Engineers come back from a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to pull even at 4-4. The Engineers left the bases loaded in the frame, however, send the contest into extra innings.

In the eighth, Rochester got its first two runners on, as Rende and Harper Sy both walked. A sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly followed, giving the Yellowjackets a 5-4 lead heading to the bottom of the inning.

Jack Moncur drew a walk with one out and advanced to second a wild pitch with two away, but the Engineers weren't able to extend teh game any further, as Aidan Cooney was able notch a strikeout to end the game and pick up the save.

RPI graduate student Chris Grome took the no-decision on the hill for the Engineers, giving up four runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out two and walked two. Freshman Cameron Heuer (1-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing one run without a hit in 1.2 innings. He also had two strikeouts and two walks.

Both teams are back in action for Game 3 of the weekend series, with first pitch scheduled for 11am (originally noon).