April 26, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore Nick Greenwood (Southington, Conn.) matched his career-high 10 strikeouts, but the Rhode Island offense combined for just six hits as the Rams dropped a 1-0 decision to La Salle, Saturday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field. The loss drops evens Rhody's record at 21-21-1 (8-8-1 Atlantic 10) while the Explorers improve to 11-30 (6-11 A-10).

After five scoreless innings, La Salle's John Malloy sent what proved to be a game-deciding homerun over the right field fence to put the Explorers up 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

Rhody's best chance to get on the board had come in the top of the inning when seniors Shaun Hagey (Ephrata, Pa.) and Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.) drew back-to-back walks before classmate Mike O'Malley (Nashua, N.H.) reached on a fielder's choice ball that resulted in Hagey being out at third. Junior Dan Rhault (Lincoln, R.I.) was then walked to load the bases for sophomore Rob Deveney (Marlton, N.J.) who grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice play to end the inning.

Greenwood, who took the loss, lasted 7.1 innings while junior Luke Demko (Gildord, N.H.) finished off the game for the Rams. La Salle's Drew Gerhart earned the win and Kevin Fuqua earned his second save in as many days.

The two teams return to Hank DeVincent Field to close out the three-game conference series tomorrow at noon.