The Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers saw their 2026 NCAA Division III Tournament run come to an abrupt close on Thursday, as a 9‑8 defeat at the hands of Babson College eliminated them from regional play.
Babson struck first, exploding for six runs in the bottom of the first inning before the Tigers could settle into the game.
A Seventh‑Inning Fightback Falls Short
RIT answered with a two‑run homer from senior Max Matteucci in the opening frame, and sophomore Charlie Slymaker trimmed the deficit with a solo shot in the second, cutting the score to 6‑3.
The momentum shifted in the seventh when junior Trent Rapp launched a three‑run blast, pulling the Tigers within one, 9‑8, but Babson’s relievers shut the door, limiting RIT to a single hit over the final two innings.
Despite the loss, the Tigers finished the season at 24‑15, establishing a new program benchmark with 52 home runs — a testament to a potent lineup that featured Matteucci, Slymaker and Rapp among its most consistent hitters.