TROY, N.Y. – Senior Jason Ramos delivered with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to push Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) past the Union College baseball team, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Robison Field. The Dutchmen finish the regular season with an overall record of 20-13 (14-7 Liberty League) and will be the second seed in next week's Liberty League Tournament. The Engineers conclude their season with an 18-21 overall record, including a 10-11 mark in Liberty League play.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Ramos lined a 3-2 pitch to center, plating junior Ethann Meister (Santa Teresa, NM/Santa Teresa) from third for a 2-1 victory.
A half inning earlier, senior right hander Adam Aponte was able to get out of a similar situation, as the Dutchmen loaded the bases with two outs. Aponte was able to strike out Union first-year
Sean Cullen to end the threat.
RPI scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second, without the benefit of a hit. Junior Weston Hawkins walked and stole second, before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Thomas Desmond drew a walk in the next at bat and Jeff Sitarski followed with a squeeze bunt to bring home Hawkins.
After a scoreless third, senior captain
Kent Curran pulled the Dutchmen even in the fourth with an RBI single to center, bringing home junior
Jake Vesling. Union then loaded the bases on a single and a walk, but a strikeout and a groundout left three on base in the frame.
Union Freshman
Sam Mikell worked the final 3.2 innings in relief and suffered the loss, giving up one run on five hits, with one walk.
Sophomore Brendan McNerney took the no-decision, allowing one unearned run on six hits over 6.0 innings. He struck out five and walked five. Aponte picked up the win the finish the season at 5-1. He allowed one hit in 1.0 inning, with two strikeouts and a walk.
The four-team, double-elimination Liberty League tournament begins Thursday and will be hosted by the conference's regular season champion, RIT. The Dutchmen will face Clarkson in their opening game, while the Tigers will take on Vassar. Game times are still to be determined.
