March 4, 2007

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - Despite an eight-run seventh inning, the University of Rhode Island baseball team's comeback attempt fell short as the Rams dropped a 12-9 decision to Marist on Sunday at Watson Stadium in Conway, S.C. Redshirt sophomore Chris Parkinson (Utica, N.Y.) and senior Dan Tucker (Warwick, R.I.) recorded two hits apiece while senior Eric Larson (Bradenton, Fla.) and junior Shaun Hagey (Ephrata, Pa.) each had two RBI.

Marist took a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Justin Lepore sent a three-run shot to right center, scoring Travis Musolf and Pat Feeney, who both reached base on singles to left field. The Red Foxes went on to score once in the second inning and plated five more in the bottom of the third, bringing their lead to 9-0 before Lepore homered again in the bottom of the fifth.

The Rams were down, 12-0, before exploding for eight runs in the top of the seventh. With one out, Parkinson was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second when Larson drew a base on balls. Freshman Jack Greenberg (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) followed with another walk, loading the bases for junior Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.).

Zanseki's RBI single to short scored Parkinson and kept bases loaded for Hagey, who sent a two-run single to right scoring both Greenberg and Larson. Freshman Zoey Angulo (Miami, Fla.) then reached on a fielder's choice, loading the bases for junior Mike O'Malley (Nashua, N.H.), who walked to score Zaneski.

After a Marist pitching change, Tucker singled to center, scoring Hagey. Senior Dave Savard followed with an RBI single to second before Parkinson struck out for URI's second out. Larson then sent a single to right center, scoring two more Rhody runs and bringing the score to 12-8 before the end of the inning.

The Rams rallied in the top of the ninth as Savard drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on Parkinson's single down the right field line. Larson then popped up to second before Greenberg sent a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Savard. Zaneski followed with a walk before freshman Oliver Palmer (North Kingstown, R.I.) grounded out to third, ending the game, 12-9, in favor of the Red Foxes.