Potsdam, NY – After a two-day delay, the Clarkson University Baseball team tangled with the RIT Tigers, and the two teams came away with a split, as the Golden Knights took the first contest 5-3 and RIT claimed victory in game two 4-2 on Monday at Jack Phillips Stadium.

The Golden Knights saw their record go to 5-10 on the year while improving to 4-1 in Liberty League games, and RIT kept its mark even at 7-7 and 1-1 in conference games. Clarkson is back at home on Tuesday against Plattsburgh State with a 4 pm start, as the contest was moved up a day to expected poor weather.

RIT got on the scoreboard first in both games, producing a pair of runs in the top of the second in the opener. Kyle Poorman sent Zach Mecca home with a sacrifice fly, and Charlie Slaymaker followed with a double to center to score John Bagley, putting RIT up 2-0 early. Clarkson responded with two scores in the bottom half of the frame, as Joe Pagano's single up the middle plated Quinn Maslowski and Caleb Doyle immediately drove in another run with an RBI groundout. The Tiger would score in the top of the fifth as Chris Reilly's single to right center allowed Ian Libby to finish the circuit, but again the Knights came back with runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Jake Millich singled through the right side to tie the game and Cam Jerrett's sac fly put the Knights up, with Kent Wilson and Colby Brouillette scoring the tying and go-ahead run. The Knights picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Doyle singled home Robert Whalen to put the score at 5-3.

RIT had a chance in the ninth when Ian Libby singled to right to lead off the inning, but a popped up bunt and fielder's choice kept runners out of scoring position and a groundout to second ended the contest.

Tommy DiFranco picked up the win in relief, as he tossed four innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits. Nicholas Hofacker earned the save, giving up just a single hit in two scoreless frames. CJ Cartier was 2-for-3 at the plate, Whalen scored two runs, and Doyle drove in two.

RIT's John Arnold took the loss, giving up six hits and four earned runs over 5.1 innings. John Bagley was 4-for-4 in the game, leading a 13-hit attack for the Tigers.

The Tigers would not trail in the second game, scoring two quick runs in the first. Chris Reilly's hit to right center would score Randy Dodig to put RIT up 1-0, and Adam Marsh's fielder's choice sent Jarin Moses home for a 2-0 Tigers' lead. Clarkson recovered with a run in the bottom half of the inning as Doyle and Wilson each delivered singles to start the game, and the bases were loaded on a Colby Brouillette walk. Jake Millich then scored Doyle from third with a sacrifice fly, but just like the Knights were able to escape the top half of the inning with limited damage, RIT was able to get out of the first fairly unscathed.

RIT would push across two more runs in the top of the third as a sharply hit liner to left from Jarin Moses scored Dodig, and Ian Libby also came around on a sac fly by Chris Reilly. The score remained 4-1 until the bottom half of the fifth. Another bases loaded situation saw Clarkson score a run when Pagano doubled, Doyle was hit by a pitch, and Wilson walked. Millich forced in the Knights' second run when he, too, drew a walk. Clarkson was retired in order in the sixth, and Pagano was stranded at first after his leadoff single in the seventh.

Hofacker was rolled over for a game two start after his save in the opener and took the loss. Pagano finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and a run, and Millich drove in two. For RIT, Jon Opalewski gained the win, allowing three hits and five walks in five innings. Peter Bossinas got the save, striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief. Jarin Moses finished 3-for-4 in the game, and Reilly drove in a pair and went 2-for-3.