May 23, 2008

Box Score

A-10 Tournament Notes | Tournament Central | Tournament Bracket

CAMDEN, N.J. - The fifth-seeded Rams fell to second-seeded Charlotte, 11-1, in today's Atlantic 10 semifinal match up at Campbell's field.

URI (31-26-1) will now face the winner of this afternoon's Xavier/Duquesne game, in an elimination game, tonight at 7 p.m. Charlotte, meanwhile, advances to tomorrow's championship game.

The 49ers (42-14) wasted no time getting their offensive attack rolling as they plated three runs on three hits, in the top of the first against sophomore starter Eric Smith (Milford, Conn.).

Rhody looked to rally in the bottom of the frame as freshman Kenny Burns (Shelton, Conn.) cracked a lead-off single and sophomore Zoey Angulo (Miami, Fla.) was hit by a pitch. However, senior Zach Zaneski (Waterford, Conn.) flied out to right and classmate Mike O'Malley (Nashua, N.H.) was then robbed by Charlotte third baseman Aaron Bray, who pulled down a hard-hit line drive and doubled up Angulo to end the inning.

Charlotte added five runs over the next four innings, before junior Dan Rhault (Lincoln, R.I.) blasted the first pitch he saw out of the park to open the bottom of the fifth and make the score 8-1. It was as close as the Rams would get though, as the Niners added one in the sixth, seventh and eighth while limiting Rhody to just two base runners the rest of the way.

Charlotte's Luke Stahl earned the win, throwing a complete-game two-hitter while Smith - who gave seven runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks - was charged with the loss. Freshmen Gardner Leaver (Montauk, N.Y.) and Ken Graveline (Prospect, Conn.) combined for eight hits and four runs in five innings of relief.

URI will take on the winner this afternoon's elimination game between Xavier and Duquesne, tonight at 7 p.m. The winner of that game will battle Charlotte tomorrow afternoon, for a shot at the A-10 crown.

Fan Information
All Atlantic 10 Championship games will be played at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J. - home of the Camden Riversharks. Single day passes are $7 for adults, $3 for Atlantic 10 students, children under 18 and senior citizens and $2 for groups of eight or more. Four-day passes are $20 and $10 for Atlantic 10 students, children under 18 and senior citizens. Live video streaming will be available for a daily charge of $4.95. Live stats will be available, free of charge, thru Gametracker.

For additional ticket info, please visit www.riversharks.com.

For complete coverage of the 2008 Baseball Championship, click here.