April 13, 2007

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KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island redshirt senior Adam Perkins (Hudson, N.H.) struck out five batters and gave up just three hits in five-and-two-thirds innings as the Rhode Island baseball team dropped a 2-1 decision to 25th-ranked Charlotte on Friday, April 13, at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, R.I. Redshirt junior Matt Miranda (Soffern, N.Y.), freshman Mark Fraser (Nashua, N.H.) and junior Jamie Degidio (Narragansett, R.I.) combined for four strikeouts, no hits and no runs to finish the game for URI.

Senior Scott Brown (Portland, Maine) recorded the first hit of the game, sending a one-out base hit to left field in the bottom of the second. Brown took second on senior Eric Larson's (Bradenton, Fla.) ground out to the mound but was unable to advance any further as junior Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.) grounded out to end the inning.

After throwing four perfect innings, Perkins walked Brad McElroy to start the fifth. The Rams got some help from Charlotte's Chris Taylor who cracked a ground ball to freshman second baseman Oliver Palmer (North Kingstown, R.I.). Palmer tossed the ball to sophomore shortstop Dan Rhault (Lincoln, R.I.) who tagged second and gunned down to senior first baseman Ryan Cunningham (Centreville, Va.) for the double play. Alex Burt followed with the 49ers' first hit of the game on an infield single before Spencer Steedley fouled out to junior third baseman Shaun Hagey (Ephrata, Pa.) to end the inning.

It was a quick three up, three down for the Rams before Charlotte took a 2-0 lead in the top of the sixth. Chris Lane led off with a strikeout but reached first on a wild-pitch third strike that got past Zaneski. Lane advanced to second on Alex Bryant's ground out to the mound. Corey Lane then knocked in his twin brother, Chris, with an RBI double to right-center. After Shayne Moody walked, Kris Rochelle doubled to left to score Lane for the Niners' second run.

Rhody got one back in the bottom of the eighth when Larson scored on a Palmer ground out to second. That was as close at the Rams would get though, as they were shut down in the bottom of the ninth.

Adam Mills picked up the win for Charlotte, pitching a complete game and allowing just three hits.

Rhode Island (8-20, 5-5 A-10) and Charlotte (27-5, 9-1 A-10) will meet again tomorrow afternoon, for a doubleheader set to begin at noon.