FREDERICK, MD – The Rochester Institute of Technology Baseball team began their season with a double header at Hood College in Frederick, MD, Saturday. RIT won their first game of the season 19-5 but fell short in the second game, losing 8-6.
The Tigers dominated the first game of the day with a strong offense as Senior pitcher Stevie Branchie recorded a win on the mound. Senior
Daniel Capra (North Salem, NY/North Salem), Junior
Luke McNamara (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin), and sophomore
Patrick Blackall (Hershey, PA/Hershey) all led RIT to their first win of 2020 with strong performances at the plate.
RIT lost the second game of the day on a walk-off double by the Blazers before the game was called due to darkness.
GAME 1
How it Happened:
- After giving up a run in the first inning, the Tigers responded with 8 in the 4th.
- RIT would give up 3 runs in the 6th and 1 in the 7th but they had already secured a substantial lead by scoring 5 runs, themselves, in the 6th, 1 in the 7th, 4 in the 8th, and another in the 9th to win the game.
At the Plate:
- McNamara led the Tigers at the plate. He went 3 for 6 with 5 RBI including a home run and a double.
- Blackall went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI. He also hit a home run and a double.
- Capra went 3 for 5. He hit a triple and drove in 1 run.
- McNamara, Capra, and Blackall all scored 3 runs, as well.
On the Mound:
- Branchie took the win for the Tigers. He pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 run on 2 hits. Heleft the game with 9 strike outs.
- Freshman pitcher Peter Bossinas (Ossining, NY/Ossining) pitched 2 scoreless innings to end the game. He gave up 1 hit.
GAME 2
How it Happened:
- Hood College started the game with 3 runs in the 1st inning but RIT responded in the 3rd with 4 of their own to take the lead. Both teams scored once in the 2nd.
- The Tigers built on their lead in the 4th with another run but they couldn't hold the Blazers back.
- Hood scored 4 runs in the 6th to win the game. RIT walked the bases loaded and then gave up 2 back to back doubles that each drove in 2 runs before the game was called due to darkness.
At the Plate:
- Senior Joey Mylott (Aurora, OH/Western Reserve Academy) led the Tigers at the plate. He went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and a double.
- McNamara hit a double during 1 of his 2 at-bats and scored a run.