SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – A seven-run seventh inning was the difference maker in the Union College baseball team's 7-3 loss to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Sunday afternoon at Central Park A Diamond.

Senior Sebastian Pike went 3-for-3 at the plate and hit his third homerun of the season.

The Garnet Chargers opened the scoring in the first inning. Senior Thomas Parisi drew a walk and advanced to third on back-to-back passed balls. Sophomore Andrew Keaveney hit an RBI single through the left side to drive in Union's first run.

Holding onto a one-run lead going into the fourth inning, Pike hit a leadoff homerun over the left field fence to give the Garnet Chargers a 2-0 lead.

The Engineers plated seven in the seventh inning to take a 7-2 lead. After loading the bases, RPI drew a pair of walks to tie the game. Two wild pitches saw two more runs come in before Scarpa hit a three-run homerun into right field.

Union loaded the bases in the ninth inning and scored after junior Kyle Zaslaw grounded out to the pitcher and drove in a run.

Sophomore Alex Oppenheimer pitched six scoreless innings in the start, struck out four, and only allowed three runs. Junior Alex Erickson is tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs in 0.1 innings.Rylan Wade earned the win for the Engineers with two runs, one earned, on three hits, and three strikeouts in six innings of work.

Union returns to non-conference action on Tuesday with a home game against VTSU Castleton. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Central Park A Diamond.