SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Tyler Heck batted 3-for-7 in the doubleheader with two singles, a double, one run and a RBI powering the Dutchmen offense in exchanging wins against Rensselaer in their home opener Saturday afternoon.

Pitchers Jared Jensen and Dane O'Neil dueled, as each pitcher was effective in the early moments of the game. Both Jensen O'Neil kept the game scoreless in the opening two innings. The Engineers however were able to get to O'Neil first as Nick Annunziata was able to draw a walk. Annunziata eventually worked his way to third, as he was able to advance on a stolen base and a passed ball. Eric Kozak followed up with a single to left field to open the scoring for the Engineers.

Rensselaer doubled their lead in the following inning as Chuck Erickson reached on a leadoff single to right field. After an O'Neil wild pitch, Shane Matthews stroked a single to centerfield to score Erickson. However, O'Neil began to settle in as he registered a force out on Matthews and catcher David Peretti was able to throw out a runner at third base to escape any further damage.

The Dutchmen was able to level the score in the bottom of the fifth as Sam Caruso and Chris Donovan put together back-to-back singles to open the inning. Anders Goetz followed up with a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position with just one out. Vince Esposito was able to bring Caruso home as a grounder to second base provided Union with their first run. Dylan Katz-Wicks provided the game-tying run as he struck a two out single to center field to score Donovan from third.

Union was seeking the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth as Heck drew a hit-by-pitch from relief pitcher Reid Roberge. Heck was able to advance on the next pitch as he swiped second base. Peretti followed the stolen base with a bunt single down the third base side to advance Heck to third. The Engineers opted for Ash Rao to get Rensselaer out of the jam. Rao was able to register the first out as Peretti advanced to second on a groundout. However, after an intentional walk to load the bases, Rao recorded two more outs to escape the Dutchmen threat.

O'Neil was effective in the latter half of the game as he scattered three hits in the final three innings of the match with only one runner reaching scoring position.

The score remained tied entering the bottom of the seventh. Goetz led the final frame with a single through the right side of the infield. Esposito laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher to advance Goetz to scoring position. After an infield single by Katz-Wicks, Heck struck a ball into left field that was able to score Goetz from second to take the first game of the doubleheader.

O'Neil was given the win as he improved to 2-0 going a complete game while conceding a pair of walks and runs while striking out two batters. Jensen was given a no-decision as he went 4 2/3 innings giving up six hits and two runs while striking out two batters as well. Rao was tagged with the loss as he went 1 1/3, giving up three hits in the relief appearance.

In the second doubleheader, Sean Conroy and Phil Kemp faced off as pitchers.

After a quick first inning, the Engineers were able to get on the board first with a solo home run to left field by Shane Matthews.

The Dutchmen were able to rebound quickly in the fourth inning as Heck led the inning off with a double. After a Peretti groundout to advance Heck to third, Jamie Faber was able to pull the ball through the gap between second and first to score Heck to level the game.

However, Rensselaer responded right back in the following frame, as the Engineers were able to take advantage of the Dutchmen's fielding errors. After a one-out single by Nick Palmiero, he was able to reach third on a pair of wild pitches. This was followed by another error, which allowed Palmiero to score.

The Engineers took advantage again in the sixth as Andrew Kalish and Jonny Rio reached on errors to make it first and third with no outs. A groundout by Erickson increased the Engineers lead to 3-1.

Conroy continued to pitch effectively as he was able to go 8 1/3 innings, spreading out nine hits while striking out nine batters. Union began to rally in the ninth inning as Eric Egan led the bottom frame with a pinch hit single down the right field line. Sam Caruso was able to reach base as well as a pitch hit him. Jesse Galina then continued the rally as he laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position. Tim Gallagher came into relief to close out the game for the Engineers but allowed pinch runner Chris Carbone to reach home on a wild pitch and struck Goetz with a pitch with one out. However, Gallagher was able to register the final two outs to earn the split in the doubleheader.

Kemp pitched in eight innings and conceding one earned run while striking out nine batters and walked just one. Chris Pignatello made one inning in relief allowing zero hits.

The Dutchmen and Engineers will meet again tomorrow, as Union will travel to Troy, N.Y. for a Sunday doubleheader beginning at noon.