Cristian Forgione hit a three-run home run, and William Montgomery and Jimmy Liberatore both had four hits on the day to lead the St. Lawrence University baseball team to a split with Clarkson in a Liberty League doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Tom Fay Field.

The Saints lost the first game 11-5 before coming back with a lop-sided 17-6 win in the second game to improve to 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the Liberty League. Clarkson moved to 8-6, 3-1.

"Today was a great learning experience for the team," said St. Lawrence interim head coach Kenny Collins. "We are learning a lot about how to win games against tough opponents. We are getting contributions from many guys and feel like we're making progress every day and coming together as a group."

St. Lawrence will take some time off for final exams this week, then resume the 2021 campaign next weekend with a home-and-home Liberty League series with RIT, hosting the Tigers on Saturday before traveling to Rochester for a pair of games on Sunday.

Game 1: Clarkson 11, St. Lawrence 5

Clarkson scored two runs in the first inning and three more in the second to lead 5-0, and after a four-run sixth inning, led 10-1, but the Saints picked up two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to build momentum for the second contest.

Liberatore was 2-for-4 for the Saints, and Nicholas Butler had a double to lead the Saints' offense in the seven-inning contest.

Colby Brouillette was 2-for-3 with two RBI, Jonathan Irons was 2-for-3, and Joe Stockman was 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Golden Knights' offense. 

Ethan Baldwin took the loss for the Saints, allowing five earned runs on five hits in five innings pitched. Clarkson starter Glenn Stever earned the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits in six innings.

Game 2: St. Lawrence 17, Clarkson 6

St. Lawrence's offense exploded for 17 runs on 16 hits, the highest scoring output for the Saints since an 18-9 win over Bard on April 28, 2018, and the most against Clarkson since the Saints defeated the Golden Knights 19-6 on May 4, 2013.

Forgione's home run over the fence in right center was the highlight of the game, giving the Saints a 7-2 lead in the third inning. The Saints scored multiple runs in all but the sixth inning.

Forgione also played a key role defensively behind the plate, catching a Clarkson baserunner on a stolen base for a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play in the top of the third, just prior to his home run.

Montgomery was 3-for-5 with a two-run triple from the leadoff spot for the Saints, while Federico was 3-for-6 with a triple and two RBI. Chris Watson was 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI, and Butler was also 2-for-4 for the Saints. Forgione finished the second game 2-for-5.

The Saints' pitching staff held Clarkson to just six hits in the second game. Starting pitcher Patrick Greenan allowed one run in two innings, Brett Parker allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings, Cameron Morrissey was not charged with an earned run in 1.1 innings of work, and Liam Reiner closed out the game with a near-perfect final two innings, allowing just one single.

Jake Phillips took the loss for Clarkson, allowing the Saints' first four runs in two innings of work.