Baseball | 5/6/2012 7:09:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Click here for game one stats --- Click here for game two stats

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT baseball team played its final two contests of the 2012 season on a sunny Sunday afternoon, losing a pair of contests at the University of Rochester at Fauver Stadium. The Tigers fell in game one, 4-1, then dropped a heartbreaker in game two, 8-7. RIT finishes the season with a 12-28 record, going 7-21 in its first season in the Liberty League. Rochester is now 18-19 overall and 13-12 in the Liberty League.

In a wild game two, RIT jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning before Rochester came roaring back to score six unanswered runs to take a 6-4 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning. RIT would not quit however, scoring three times in its final at-bat to re-take the lead, 7-6. The Yellowjackets responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand RIT the tough loss.

The Tigers took the 4-0 lead in the second, as RIT loaded the bases with singles by Ronnie Canestro (East Amherst, NY/Nichols) and Tyler Ramotar (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) sandwiched around a walk by Skip Flanagan (Framingham, MA/Bishop Feehan). Greg Schworm (Rochester, NY/Churchville Chili) had an infield single to score Canestro for the game's first run. Kreag Bradley (Victor, NY/Victor) walked with the bases loaded to force in RIT's second run, followed by a two-run single by Walt Roman (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport).

Rochester chipped away at the lead with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game, then took the lead with a run in the fifth. The Yellowjackets added a run on an error in the eighth inning to go up 6-4.

In the ninth, Roman reached on an error, then two batters later Jon Meyer (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) drilled his team-leading third home run of the season to tie the game at 6-6. Canestro then singled and stole second, and was driven in on a single by Ramotar to give RIT the 7-6 lead.

Rochester would respond in the bottom of the ninth, as two RIT errors would contribute to both Rochester runs. Tim LeSeur led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on an error. Josh Ludwig singled to tie the game. After a sacrifice bunt and intentional walk to load the bases for the force play, Steve Pollakov reached on a RIT error, sending Dominic Caruso home with the winning run.

RIT out-hit Rochester, 12-8. Roman set a career-high with four hits, going 4-for-5 with two RBI's and a run scored. Canestro and Ramotar each had two hits apiece. Michael Burns (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) started on the mound, allowing five hits and four runs in five innings. Tyler Leichtenberger (Warren, PA/Warren Area) took the loss in relief, allowing two hits and an earned run in the ninth inning.

Alex Caghan was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI's for Rochester. Nick Carlson was 2-for-3 with two RBI's and a run scored. Alex Parker blew the save in the top of the ninth, but got the win. Michael Zarella threw five scoreless innings in relief, allowing just four hits, while striking out two batters.

In game one, Rochester hurler Corey King kept RIT off balance, allowing just three hits and a walk in 5 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Stephen Cool recorded his first save, getting three outs in the seventh inning after RIT got on the board.

Flanagan was 2-for-3 for the Tigers. Canestro threw a complete-game for RIT in the loss, allowing six hits, while striking out four batters.

Roman doubled and was hit by a pitch for the 26th time this season. He has been hit 42 times in two seasons and finished the year with an incredible .521 on-base percentage, fifth best in one season at RIT. Roman was hit or walked 40 times, while only striking out nine times in 2012. he also led the team with a .377 batting average, .557 slugging percentage, 46 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, and 28 RBI's.

Brian Bezek hit a two-run single in the sixth inning to break the game open for the Yellowjackets. Ethan Sander was also 2-for-3 with a run scored and driven in. Tyler DeClerck also scored and drove in a run.

The Yellowjackets have won seven straight games, and 10 of its last 11 contests. Yesterday, Rochester defeated RIT in a pair of one-run games at RIT Field, 1-0 and 4-3.