Auburndale, FL --- The WPI Baseball team took a tough 17-8 loss to the College of New Jersey on Tuesday at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, Florida.  Both teams sport identical 3-2 records on their Spring Break trips. 

After falling behind 5-0 in the top of the first, the Engineers put up two runs in the bottom of the inning when Tim Erlandson (Hudson, MA) smacked a double to right field with Matt Blakeman (Bedford, NH) on first. Blakeman scored on a throwing error and Erlandson later reached home on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the second, the Crimson and Gray pulled to within one when Kyle Bartosik (Midland Park, NJ) grounded out to score a run and Blakeman hit an RBI single to left center. Just when it seemed things were swinging WPI's way, the Lions reeled off ten unanswered runs including seven in the top of the seventh to take a commanding 15-4 lead. The Engineers scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, with two runners reaching home on an error and Blakeman coming up with another RBI single, this time to center field. It would not be enough, however. 

Blakeman finished the day going 3-of-4 with two RBIs and one run. David Trujillo (Sutton, MA) continued his hot start with two hits and two runs.   

Brandon Boucher (Manchester, NH) (0-1) shouldered the loss for the Engineers, who committed eight errors on the day.  Joe Giesecke (Mashasset, NY) and Stuart Sundseth (Durham, NC) each tossed a scoreless inning of relief. 

After an off day on Wednesday, WPI will look to bounce back on Thursday when they play RIT in a 2:30pm game in Winter Haven, FL.  College of New Jersey also plays next on Thursday when they play SUNY Cortland at 5:00pm.