Springfield, MA --- Freshmen Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY) and Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) combined for six hits and five RBIs to catapult WPI past Springfield 9-7 in NEWMAC action Friday afternoon. The duo sparked a four run inning in the top of the seventh as WPI regained a lead they would not relinquish. 

With the win, WPI improves to 8-12 overall and 3-4 in conference. Springfield drops to 4-8 and 1-5 in the NEMMAC.

Hits from Venditti and D'Ambrosio in the first two innings coupled with big triples from senior Shane Sampson (Worcester, MA) and Anthony Capuano (Stoneham, MA) helped the Engineers jump out to a 4-1 advantage heading into the fifth. 

The Pride battled back with a homer by Sean Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) that helped Springfield to a four run inning.  Springfield led WPI 6-4 heading into the seventh.

The Crimson and Gray replied with their own four-run inning with doubles from Zach Blanchard(Warwick, RI) and D.J. Oullette (Watertown, CT). D'Ambrosio's single sent Matt Blakeman (Bedford, NH) home and Venditti's double solidified WPI's lead. 

The Engineers wrapped things up in the ninth with hits from D'Ambrosio and Sean Kelly (Shrewsbury, MA) and solid pitching from closer Taylor Landry (Kennebunk, ME).

Sean Greene (Hingham, MA) improves to 2-2 with the win, pitching for one inning and allowing no runs.  Landry earns the save, his third of the year.  Greg Marakovits (Rocky Hill, CT) falls to 0-2 hauling for seven innings and giving up eight runs, five of which were earned.

Billy Paskowski (Wappingers Falls, NY) and Matt Milano (Cumberland, RI) each registered a pair of hits in the loss. 

WPI returns to Springfield tomorrow for a double header beginning at noon.