Auburndale, FL --- The WPI baseball team swept its doubleheader against Penn State Altoona on Wednesday, winning 4-3 and 11-5, both in come-from-behind fashion. The Engineers even their season record at 3-3 while the Lions fall to 3-7.
In the first game, WPI struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when sophomore shortstop Steve Petry (Worcester, MA) reached on an RBI fielder's choice to score sophomore right fielder John McGonagle (Medford, MA) from third.
Down 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Crimson and Gray posted three straight runs. McGonagle reached on a walk, advanced to second on a stolen base, reached third on a single, then scored on a fielder's choice. With men at first and second, the Engineers executed a double-steal resulting in a throwing error on the catcher to allow Petry to come around to score. On that same at bat, the Lions pitcher struck out the batter but a wild pitch, allowed freshman center fielder Anthony Capuano(Stoneham, MA) to score the walk-off run.
Junior pitcher David Trujillo (Sutton, MA) struck out four in five innings of work, giving up only one earned run. Freshman pitcher Sean Greene (Hingham, MA) earned his first career win with three strikeouts in two innings of relief.
In game two, the Crimson and Gray found themselves down 5-2 after just two innings but posted nine unanswered runs to come away with the victory.
Freshman first baseman Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) had three hits and three RBI while junior catcher Sean Kelly (Shrewsbury, MA) reached base every time up, going two-for-two with two walks and three RBI. Freshman designated hitter D.J. Ouellette (Watertown, CT) went three for four, and four Engineers scored two runs each.
Sophomore pitcher Andrew Portera (Alpharetta, GA) picked up the win in relief, pitching on two days rest and not allowing a run in four-and-a-third innings. Sophomore pitcher Taylor Landry (Kennebunk, ME) closed out the game in the seventh by striking out the side.
WPI plays Keene State on Friday in a doubleheader.