The Middlebury baseball team led by four runs in the fifth inning, and held off a later comeback bid by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to edge the Engineers 5-4. With the triumph, the Panthers extend their winning streak to six-straight victories.
HIGHLIGHTS
- RPI opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when a sacrifice fly by George Rainer brought home Cole Paquin for the 1-0 edge.
- Middlebury took a 2-1 edge in the fourth inning. Lucas Flemming grounded out, sending Nathan Samii shuffling home, before Sammy Smith scampered across the plate on an error.
- In the top of the fifth, John Collins and Kyle McCausland each singled before Mitchell Schroeder belted a three-run homer to make it 5-1.
- Julian Scarpa led off the Engineers' half of the inning with a round-tripper to cut the deficit to three (5-2).
- With two outs in the eighth, RPI began its comeback attempt. A single by Jack Moncur drove in Martin Marintchev, before Joey Saia touched home on a fielder's choice to make it 5-4.
- The Panthers looked to gain some breathing room in the bottom of the ninth, but all three runners were stranded due to quality pitching from the Engineers.
- In RPI's half of the inning, Middlebury took care of business to secure the 5-4 triumph.
NOTES
- McCausland has recorded at least one hit in 11 of 12 games this year, while Collins increased his hitting streak to seven-consecutive contests.
- The Panthers tallied a season-best seven stolen bases during the game.
- Sawyer Duarte earned his first win on the mound, striking out five while allowing just one hit over five innings of work, while Cole Crider earned his second save of the year.
- Middlebury and the Engineers played for the 58th time today in a series where RPI holds a slight edge (30-28).
The Panthers open conference play on Sunday with a doubleheader at Bowdoin.
