TROY, N.Y. - The Ithaca College baseball team dropped a 6-3 match to RPI on Friday afternoon in Troy, N.Y., as the Engineers used timely hitting and extra-base production to take the Liberty League crossover matchup. With the loss, the Bombers drop to 20-14 on the season, while RPI improves to 22-14.
RPI finished the afternoon with 12 hits and four doubles, using strong production in the middle innings to build separation. The Engineers plated runs in the second, third, fifth, and seventh innings, including a three-run fifth inning that proved to be the difference in the game. Ithaca collected eight hits, but left 11 runners on base, limiting opportunities to close the gap late.
Offensively,
Nate Rodriguez led Ithaca, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI to account for the Bombers' biggest swing of the day. Trey Walker III scored a run and added a hit and a walk at the top of the lineup, while
Jake Alfano,
Lucas Orlovitz,
Matt Curtis,
Ethan Fantel,
Ethan Daddabbo, and
Isaiah Smith each contributed hits as Ithaca generated traffic throughout the game. The Bombers also worked four walks and were aggressive on the bases with three stolen bases.
On the mound,
Danny Drotos made the start, tossing five innings while allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out two.
Anders Lowkes followed with 2.0 innings of relief, surrendering two runs with two strikeouts, and
Cooper Albert and
Richard Zangara combined to finish the final inning. Ithaca pitchers limited RPI to three earned runs, but the Engineers capitalized on two Ithaca defensive errors to extend innings and create scoring chances.
Defensively, Ithaca recorded 24 putouts and 10 assists, while turning several key outs to keep the game within reach into the late innings. However, RPI's ability to string together extra-base hits and timely RBI proved decisive, finishing with six RBI on the afternoon.
Despite trailing late, the Bombers remained within striking distance thanks to Rodriguez's home run and continued pressure on the bases, but RPI's bullpen closed the door in the final innings to secure the win.
Ithaca will look to respond as the Liberty League crossover series continues tomorrow against the Engineers at noon.
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