Bristol, RI --- The WPI baseball team dropped a 2-1 decision to host Roger Williams on a cold and windy but sunny Wednesday afternoon.

Both teams were locked into a pitchers' duel, with strong outings by both starters. Right-hander Josh Orosz (Fairfield, CT) tossed a gem for the Hawks, while southpaw David Trujillo (Sutton, MA) was equally impressive on the mound for WPI.

After two scoreless innings, the Hawks struck first in the third inning. Derek Jerome (New Bedford, MA) led off the inning with a double, then would be sacrificed over to second byChris Comeau (Southbury, CT). After stealing third, Jerome scored the first run of the game on an RBI single by Mike Pascarella (Milford, CT).

The Hawk lead would not last long, as Mitch McClune (Pembroke, MA) launched a game-tying homer to deep left center in the following inning to tie the game at one apiece.

RWU threatened to regain the lead in the fifth inning, with Trevor Larson (Northbridge, MA) standing at second with two outs. Pascarella lined a shot up the middle, but an excellent diving catch by shortstop Nick Bean (Middleboro, MA) kept the Hawks off the board and kept the game tied at one.

In the seventh, RWU began the frame with a leadoff single by Chris Travers (East Freetown, MA) and a walk by Larson. Comeau would reach on a force-out at third, followed by Larson advancing to third on an overthrow trying to turn the double-play.

With runners at first and third, the Hawks appeared to score the go-ahead run on an overthrown ball on a pickoff attempt, but the umpire ruled that Trujillo's foot was never on the rubber, negating the play. On the next pitch, Pascarella knocked an infield single on a grounder to second that scored Jerome from third to give RWU a 2-1 lead.

In the eighth, WPI looked poised to tie the game after the leadoff batter reached via error and a two-out, hit-and-run single by Matt Blakeman (Bedford, NH), putting runners at first and third. Tyler Pogmore (Lebanon, CT) would strike out Trujillo to end the threat then retire the side in order in the top of the ninth for the save.

Orosz picked up the win, going 7.2 innings allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts. Pogmore struck out two for the save. Pascarella went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Jerome was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

Trujillo took the hard-luck loss, allowing both runs (one earned) in seven innings of work. Blakeman was 2-for-4, McClune's home run and Trujillo's single the only other Engineer hits in the game.

Roger Williams (5-13) takes on Eastern Connecticut State on Thursday, while WPI goes to Worcester State tomorrow.

Release Courtesy Roger Williams Sports Information