May 26, 2010

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CAMDEN, N.J. - Junior Tom Coulombe went 3-for-4 as the third-seeded Rhode Island baseball team downed sixth-seeded La Salle, 7-2, in the opening round of the 2010 Atlantic 10 Championship at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J. Coulombe now has 82 hits this season, marking a new single-season record at Rhode Island

Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Tim Boyce earned the win as he gave up five hits and two runs over seven innings. Boyce also struck out six batters and extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to a nation-best 37.2 innings before giving up a run in the top of the fourth.

Rhody (30-24) first got on the board in the second inning when junior Evan Laude led off with a solo shot to left field. The Rams plated another in the third when senior Oliver Palmer doubled to left and came around to score on Coulombe's single down the right field line.

La Salle's Chris Umstead sent a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fourth, ending Boyce's streak and making it a one-run game (2-1). However, Rhode Island went back up by two in the bottom of the frame when sophomore Milan Adams' single to right scored senior Zoey Angulo - who had led off with a single through the left side.

The Explorers 21-31) tacked on another run in the top of the sixth, but Rhody responded again - this time with a four spot after LeBel went yard with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth.

Redshirt freshman Rob Curran relieved Boyce in the eighth and ended the game without allowing a hit in the final two innings.

The Rams advance to take on second-seeded Xavier - in a rematch of last year's A-10 title game - Thursday at 3:30 p.m.