March 14, 2009

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STILLWATER, Okla. - The Rhode Island baseball team fell to No. 11 Oklahoma State, 14-2, Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Stadium. Junior Oliver Palmer (North Kingstown, R.I.) scored both runs for the Rams.

Palmer put Rhody up 1-0 in the top of the first as he singled to center before stealing second and advancing to third when OSU shortstop Tom Belza booted the throw down from catcher Eric Walker. Palmer then crossed the plate on an RBI single by sophomore Jeff Cammans (Jamestown, R.I.).

The Cowboys tied things up in the bottom of the frame when Michael Dabbs scored on a wild pitch. Oklahoma State took over the lead the following inning on a Neil Medchill homerun and extended its advantage to 8-1 after a six-run fourth.

OSU got three more in the sixth and another three in the eighth to lead 14-1 before the Rams plated their final run in the top of the ninth when Palmer scored on a two-out single up the middle by freshman Dan Haverstick (Marlton, N.J.).

Junior starter Nick Greenwood (Southington, Conn.) was charged with the loss after giving up nine hits and eight runs in five innings. Tyler Blanford got the win for the Cowboys, striking out 11 Rams in 8.2 innings of work.

The loss drops Rhody to 7-4 overall and 2-2 against ranked teams this season. Oklahoma State meanwhile - which entered the game ranked in five national polls: NCBWA (#11), Collegiate Baseball (#12), ESPN/USA Today (#12), Rivals.com (#12) and Baseball America (#19) - improved to to 12-3.

The Rams are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they face No. 4 Cal State Fullerton at 1 p.m. (Eastern Time) before taking on the Cowboys at 4:30 p.m.