April 14, 2009

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island baseball team (20-12-1) rolled past Quinnipiac (9-20) by the score of 11-6 on Tuesday afternoon at Bill Beck Field. Sophomore lefty Chris Pickering (Lincoln, R.I.) threw seven strong innings while junior Oliver Palmer (North Kingston, R.I.) went 4-for-5 to improve his team-leading batting average to .375.

With the Rams trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning, Palmer started a three-run rally with a one-out single to left. Senior Dan Rhault (Lincoln, R.I.) and sophomore Tom Coulombe (Lincoln, R.I.) followed with back-to-back base hits before a sac fly by junior Rob DeVeney (Marlton, N.J.) plated Palmer and evened things at 2-2. Freshman third baseman Mike LeBel (Quincy, Mass.) then send a two-run double down the left field line to put Rhody in front, 4-2.

The Rams added three more runs in the fifth inning as DeVeney, sophomore Jeff Cammans (Jamestown, R.I.) and sophomore Kenny Burns (Shelton, Conn.) all crossed the plate to give the Rams a 7-2 lead.

Rhody tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth inning to round out its attack. The Rams had a solid offensive showing on the afternoon, combining for 16 hits - including seven for extra-bases.

Palmer finished with a pair of doubles while Burns went 3-for-5 with two RBI. LeBel drove in three runs on two hits.

Kyle Birdsdale took the loss for the Bobcats, giving up 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) over 4.1 innings.

The Rams return to action on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to Hartford for at 3 p.m.