March 14, 2005

Box Score

BRADENTON, Fla. - The University of Rhode Island baseball team fell behind 4-0 in the first inning and couldn't catch up in an 8-5 loss to Kentucky in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday.

The Wildcats (12-2) scored four runs in the first inning, and while the Rams were able to cut the gap to 4-3 in the top of the fourth, Kentucky answered right back.

Rhode Island juniors Josh Nestor (Nashua, N.H.) and Wayne Russo (Warwick, R.I.), along with sophomore Ryan Cunningham (Centerville, Va.) each had two hits.

The Rams scored two runs in the second and another run in the top of the fourth to cut the gap to 4-3, but Kentucky scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 6-3 cushion. Rhody scored a run in the top of the fifth to close to within 6-4, but the Wildcats again had an answer with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth for an 8-4 lead.

Russo, Cunningham, senior Mike Rainville (Pawtucket, R.I.), junior Matt Sullivan (Nashua, N.H.) and sophomore Scott Brown (Portland, Maine) each drove in runs for the Rams (0-6). Cunningham and Rainville hit solo homers for the Rams.