WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) baseball team earned a 9-5 non-conference victory at Williams this afternoon at Bobby Coombs Field, using a pair of three-run innings to seize control before adding two more in the ninth to close it out. 

Williams struck first with a run in the bottom of the opening inning, but the Engineers answered in the third with a quick three-run response. Matt Chotiner singled and Jack Mullins walked before Walker Abdallah dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. Andrew Crux then singled to first to drive in Chotiner, and Michael Lebenson followed with a two-run single to bring home Abdallah and Mullins and give RPI a 3-1 lead. 

The Ephs came back with two in the bottom of the third to even the score, but RPI immediately regained the lead in the fourth. Robbie Reddington worked a walk, stole second, and scored on Mullins' RBI single up the middle to make it 4-3. 

RPI created separation in the sixth with another three-run inning. Mullins walked again and moved up on a wild pitch, Crux drew a walk, and Lebenson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ben Belliss then ripped a bases-clearing double to right field to drive in all three runs and push the advantage to 6-3. 

Williams trimmed the margin with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Engineers' bullpen kept the Ephs off the board the rest of the way, and RPI added the final insurance in the ninth.

Belliss walked to start the inning and Owen Burnsworth drew another free pass. After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, Reddington delivered a clutch two-run single to right to make it 8-5, and he later moved into scoring position as the Engineers continued to apply pressure before finishing out the 9-5 win.  

Reddington's late hit proved decisive, as he finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Belliss reached base four times, going 1-for-2 with a double and a team-high three RBI while drawing three walks. Lebenson finished with two hits and two RBI, and Mullins reached base four times as well, scoring twice while posting an RBI and three walks. 

Crux started and worked 3.0 innings before Danny Nayvelt earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Sam Kuss and Dutch Hamilton handled the middle innings, and Andrew Gaughan, Sam Ferrier, and Zac Zajac combined to finish the final three frames without allowing a run, with Zajac inducing a game-ending double play in the ninth. 

The Engineers are back home on Saturday to host #30 Cortland.