Bard dropped an 11-1 decision to RPI on the road Friday afternoon, for its opening game of the series.
Despite a competitive pitching battle at the start, Bard was limited to just two hits on the day, while RPI capitalized on opportunities throughout the game to pull away early and never look back.
Rensselaer broke the game open in the second inning, scoring three runs—two of which were unearned—before adding two more in the third to build a 5-1 advantage. Bard's lone run came in the top of the third, when Angus Lunt-Woodward singled and later scored on an RPI fielding error following a Jack Rivlin double. However, that would be the only offensive breakthrough for the Raptors, as the RPI starter held Bard in check across six innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out four.
Bard used four pitchers in the contest, with Jackson Sprinzen taking the start and pitching over 4.2 innings. The Raptors showed discipline at the plate with several hit-by-pitches and walks, but were unable to string together timely hits to generate sustained offense.
Bard will look to regroup and prepare for a doubleheader against RPI on Sunday at noon at Honey Field.
