SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College baseball team scored five runs in the first inning on their way to an 8-4 victory over the College of Saint Rose on Saturday afternoon at AIC Park. The Yellow Jackets improve to 16-26-1 overall and 7-19-1 in the Northeasr-10, while the Golden Knights drop to 15-28 overall and 7-10 in conference play.

Freshman Lucas Vallas (East Northport, N.Y.) hit a three RBI triple down the left field line to give AIC a 3-0 lead. Junior Chris Amate (Hanover, Mass.) hit an RBI single to right field to plate Vallas for a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Yellow Jackets would score one more run in the first for a 5-0 lead.

AIC scored two more runs in the bottom of the second inning when sophomore Dave Clark (West Springfield, Mass.) hit an RBI triple to center field and would later cross home plate for a 7-0 lead.

Saint Rose scored three runs in the fourth inning to get on the board and make it a 7-3 contest. The Golden Knights scored one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning before the Yellow Jackets scored the last run in the bottom of the eight for an 8-4 victory.

Sophomore left fielder Scott Hladik (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) was 2-for-4 with one run scored for the Golden Knights, while Clark was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI for AIC.

Freshman Ryan Acevedo (Poway, Calif.) earned the win throwing 7.0 innings allowing three runs on five hits and striking out four batters, while freshman Bryan Carr (Albany, N.Y.) pitched 1.0 inning and allowed 7 runs on six hits.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at AIC Park for a Northeast-10 doubleheader with the first game starting at 12 p.m.