March 2, 2007

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - The Rhode Island baseball team was defeated, 6-2, by #22/26 Coastal Carolina on Friday afternoon, in the opening game of the Microtel Inn and Suites Challenge. The Rams, who turned three double plays and committed just one error, were led by junior catcher Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.) who was 2-for-4 with a solo shot in the top of the ninth inning.

The Chanticleers (10-2) got on the board first with two runs in the first inning following back-to-back-to-back hits by David Sappelt, Dom Duggan and Chris Raber. Rhody got a run back in the fifth on a two-out single by junior shortstop Mike O'Malley (Nashua, N.H.) to score freshman second baseman Oliver Palmer (North Kingstown, R.I.), who stole second after reaching first on a fielder's choice.

Coastal followed with a run in the bottom of the inning, bringing its lead to 3-1, before scoring three more on a three-hit sixth inning. Zaneski's leadoff homer in the top of the ninth cut the Chanticleers' lead to four but that's as close as the Rams would get as closer Austin Hinkle struck out seniors Gregg Allen (Dighton, Mass.) and Eric Larson (Bradenton, Fla.) before redshirt sophomore Chris Parkinson (Utica, N.Y.) flew out to right to end the game, 6-2, in favor of Coastal Carolina.

Andy DeLaGarza picked up the win for the Chanticleers while redshirt senior Adam Perkins (Hudson, N.Y.) suffered his first loss of the season.

The Rams (1-4) return to action tomorrow afternoon when they face West Virginia at 3:30 p.m. Fans can follow all Microtel Inn and Suites Challenge games live by logging onto the Tournament Central webpage.