RPI 8, St. Lawrence 0
LOUDIOVILLE, NY - RPI senior pitcher Mike Campisi pitched a complete game shutout and shortstop Jonny Rio went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Engineers (26-13) to an 8-0 win over St. Lawrence (20-16) in the opening game of the Liberty League Baseball Tournament.
Ahead 1-0, RPI broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring seven runs to force St. Lawrence starter Joe Riley (7-2) out of the game, and change the complexion of a contest that had been a pitcher's duel.
With two men on and no one out, Rio tripled down the right field line to make it 3-0 Engineers. An outfield error allowed Rio to score and later in the inning, freshman Nick Annunziata added a two-run single to increase RPI's lead to 6-0. Riley left the game in favor of junior pitcher Ben Jenkins.
Jenkins allowed two more runs on RBI singles by Michael Croke and Andrew Kalish, pushing the RPI lead to 8-0
Campisi finished the complete game by inducing a game-ending double-play with runners on first and second and one out. He pitched nine innings, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out four to improve to 6-3 on the season.
The Engineers got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Rio reached on a one-out single and advanced to second on junior Shane Matthews' single. Rio scored on a throwing error by Riley on a ball put in play by Jared Jensen, giving RPI a 1-0 lead.
St. Lawrence threatened in the top of the fifth inning with runners on first and second and one out, but Bryan Palermo was picked off by Campisi at second base, and senior Ethan Braddock grounded out to end the inning. The Saints put runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth inning, but Campisi struck out senior Carter Franz to set up RPI's big inning in the bottom half of the frame.
