TROY, NY – Senior Jason Pollard (Hudson, NY/Hudson) had five hits, including a grand slam in game one to propel #16 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to a doubleheader sweep of Union College, defeating the Dutchmen, 14-7 & 21-6, in Liberty League baseball action at Robison Field Sunday afternoon. The Red Hawks improve to 17-7 overall and 6-4 in the league while Union falls to 5-16 and 5-9 in the Liberty League.
Rensselaer broke open a 5-3 game with nine runs in the fifth inning of game one. Among the highlights were a two-run single by senior Ken Carroll (Shelton, CT/Fairfield Prep) and a grand slam by Pollard. Pollard, who started the inning when he was hit by a pitch, went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and five RBI in the game.
RPI starter Luke Calzone (Bethel, CT/Bethel) picked up the win allowing three runs on five hits through six innings while striking out five and walking three.
For the Dutchmen, leftfielder
Kyle Murphy (Plymouth, MA/Phillips Andover Academy) went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and sophomore
Josh McKelligan (Canton, MA/Salisbury School) delivered a three-run home run in the top of the ninth. Freshman
Scott Coblyn (Sherborn, MA/Dover-Sherborn) took the loss allowing 10 runs on 10 hits in 4.0 innings.
In the nightcap, Union jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind an RBI single from sophomore
Ryan Bowes (Hamilton, NJ/The Peddie School). The Red Hawks answered in the bottom of the frame, taking a 4-3 lead on an RBI double by sophomore Dan Feenan (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa).
Rensselaer exploded for eight runs on eight hits in the bottom of the fourth to take a commanding 14-4 lead. Four different batters posted RBI singles in the inning, which was capped by a two-run double by junior Dan Valentine (Goshen, CT/Avon Old Farms).
Junior Matt Muscatiello (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) went 2-for-3 with three runs while freshman Andrew Mondo (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) earned the win for the Red Hawks, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in 5.0 innings.
Offensively for the Dutchmen, freshman
Colin McKelligan (Canton, MA/Salisbury School) went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Junior
Mike Donovan (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) took the loss for Union, allowing six runs on seven hits in three innings pitched.
Union is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, April 24 in a 4 p.m. game against SUNYIT at Buck Ewing Field.
