ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Union College baseball team split with host Rochester Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium. Union won the first game 4-2 before falling to RIT in the second game 4-3.

Junior Jono Santos went 2-for-5 on the day with a pair of RBIs while sophomore Thomas Parisi went 2-for-6 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

Game 1: Union 4, RIT 2

Six Dutchmen recorded a hit in the game one win. Santos went 1-for-3 with an RBI-single, while sophomore Sebastian Pike walked three times and scored two of Union's four runs.  

The Dutchmen drew back-to-back walks to open the game before senior Jack DiNanno laid down a sac bunt to advance the runners. One batter later, Santos drove an RBI single up the middle before advancing to second on the throw and third on an error. Sophomore Kobe Mentzer stole home to put Union up 2-0.

The Dutchmen struck again in the fourth inning when Pike walked before moving to second on a wild pitch. An RBI double by Parisi to right field brought in Union's third run of the game.

Pike opened the sixth stanza with his third walk of the game, advancing to third off a single by sophomore Noah Schott. After a misplayed ball by the Tigers' third baseman, sophomore Ryan Cowles made it safely to first and Pike scampered home to make it a 4-0 game.

The Tigers ended the shutout bid in the sixth inning. A leadoff double followed by a single put runners on first and third. A groundout to third allowed Libby to cross the plate and a double one batter later brought home RIT's second run.

The Union defense held strong in the final three innings and the Dutchmen came away with a 4-2 victory.

First-year Aidan McGee earned the win for the Dutchmen, pitching four innings of relief, surrendering two runs on three hits and striking out two. Junior Jason Goldblum picked up his fourth save of the season, striking out one in one inning of work. For the Tigers, Collin Reformat takes the loss after allowing three runs on two hits, six walks, and striking out three in four innings of work.
 
Game 2: RIT 4, Union 3

Leading 3-2 going into the seventh inning, Union surrendered a pair of runs in the final frame to fall 4-3.

Parisi led the way for the Dutchmen with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. First-year Nick Hiltsley and DiNanno each registered two hits.

After a scoreless first inning, Parisi drew a leadoff walk in the second stanza and stole second. A single to the pitcher by Hitsely advanced Parisi to third before the centerfielder stole home on a failed pick-off attempt to give Union a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers responded in the bottom half of the frame, capitalizing on a muffed throw to even the score. RIT took a 2-1 lead in the third off an RBI double.

In the top half of the fourth, first-year Sam Strazza and Parisi launched back-to-back doubles into left field to knot the game at two. Union took a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning on a sac fly by Santos to bring home Cowles.

RIT drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh inning, then hit three singles in a row to walk off with a 4-3 win.

Junior Harry Azadian pitched five solid innings, surrendering two runs, only one earned, on five hits, and struck out four. Goldblum takes the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in an inning of work. Peter Bossinas earns the win for the Tigers, pitching one inning of relief and striking out one batter.

Union looks to earn the series win against RIT tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.