April 27, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore starter Eric Smith (Milford, Conn.) struck out five batters in seven scoreless innings as the Rhode Island baseball team blanked La Salle, 6-0, Sunday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field. The Rams recorded 11 hits in the win, compared to just three by the Explorers.

Rhody broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning as sophomore Rob Deveney (Marlton, N.J.) led off with a single to left before freshman Robert Noe (Lynnfield, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice. A throwing error by La Salle pitcher Kevin Fuqua allowed Deveney to reach second safely and take third as well, setting up freshman Tom Coulombe's (Lincoln, R.I.) RBI single to left. Noe and Coulombe then advanced a base on a wild pitch before sophomore Oliver Palmer (North Kingstown, R.I.) plated Noe with a groundout to short.

The Rams stretched their lead to 6-0 in the top of the seventh when Palmer, Coulombe and freshman Pete Mastors (Narragansett, R.I.) all crossed the plate on a triple to right center by senior Shaun Hagey (Ephrata, Pa.), who then scored on a sacrifice fly by classmate Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.). Looking to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, junior Dan Rhault (Lincoln, R.I.) then ended the inning with a fly out to center field.

Smith earned the win for the Rams, allowing just two hits and one walk, while junior Luke Demko (Gilford, N.H.) and sophomore Tim Boyce (Swansea, Mass.) combined for a scoreless eighth and ninth. Fuqua took the loss for the Explorers.

The victory improves URI's record to 22-21-1 (9-8-1 Atlantic 10) while La Salle drops to 11-31 (6-12 Atlantic 10).

The Rams are back in action on Tuesday afternoon, when they return to Bill Beck Field to host Holy Cross at 3:30 p.m.