Ephs Rally Late But Fall Short Against RPI

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. — A furious ninth-inning rally put the tying run at the plate, but the Ephs couldn't complete the comeback in a hard-fought 8–5 loss to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Tuesday afternoon at Bobby Coombs Field.

Williams tallied 15 hits, including four from Ryan Nakajima and four more from catcher Henry Juan, out slugging the Engineers 15-9 on the day. Luca Lopetrone added three hits of his own, as the Ephs top of the order drove a late push that nearly erased an 8–3 deficit.

RPI jumped out to an early lead in the second, scoring three runs on four hits and two hit batters. Isaiah Oehlschlager led off the frame with a double to right-center and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Andrew Krishnappa. Alex Coombes followed with a two-run single that gave the Engineers a 3–0 cushion.

The Engineers added on in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings, using a mix of small ball and timely walks to slowly extend their advantage. Coombes finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Oehlschlager and Krishnappa each chipped in extra-base hits and a run driven in.

The Ephs broke through in the sixth, plating three runs. First, on a sacrifice fly by James O'Connor to bring in Nakajima. Building on the momentum, Will Scott launched a single to center field to send Juan home. Finally, the Ephs capitalized on a wild pitch by RPI, which allowed Scott to score a run of his own. This inning brought the score to 6-3.

Williams threatened again in the ninth. Owen McHugh worked a pinch-hit walk to lead off the inning, and Nakajima punched an RBI single into right field for his fourth hit of the game and plated McHugh. Juan followed with a single, and O'Connor worked a walk . After Scott walked to load the bases. With runners in scoring position, Lopetrone capitalized, hitting a single down the right field line to bring Nakajima home, bringing the score to 8-5. Ephs had the tying run aboard with one out — but RPI closer Zach Zajac struck out the final two batters to seal the win.

Despite the loss, the Williams bullpen kept the team within striking distance. Jacob Martin, Daniel Okstein, and Matt Keene combined for three scoreless innings to close the game, allowing just one hit and no walks over the final third of the contest.

After the game, Eph head coach Bill Barrale was disappointed but happy with the way his team pitched. No doubt Barrale's eyes are on this weekend's conference play against rivals Wesleyan College, saying, "I am fired up for this weekend!". 

The Ephs take on the Cardinals at home this Friday, starting at 4 P.M.