Setting the Scene
Rhode Island (1-3) struggled on the second day of the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Sunday, twice losing by the mercy rule. The Rams lost 10-2 in six innings to Central Arkansas in the first game of the day, and then were blanked for the first time this season in a 12-0 loss to Southern Miss in the second game.

How It Happened
The Rams got off to a quick start with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning against Central Arkansas. Senior Brittany Julich led the game off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored on a passed ball. Sophomore Fallon Scorpio walked and eventually came around to score on a fielding error to give Rhody a 2-0 lead, but that was all the scoring Rhody had in the opener. The Sugar Bears broke through for four runs in the bottom of the third and never relinquished the lead.

In the second game, Rhody was limited to four hits by Southern Miss starter Beth Dietrich. Rhode Island only got one runner to second base as Dietrich kept the offense off balance.

Top Performances
* Senior Courtney Prendergast had a hit in both games, extending her hitting streak to five games, dating back to last season. This season she his 5-for-11 (.455) with a double and two runs scored.

* In the loss to Central Arkansas, senior Brittany Julich drilled her second double of the season.

* Freshman Meg Kelly has her career off to a quick start. Over the four games, she went 4-for-9 at the plate (.444) with two runs batted in and one run scored from the ninth spot in the batting order.

* Amy Gleason delivered a base hit in her first at bat of the season during the Southern Miss game.

* Sophomore Fallon Scorpio singled in the first inning against Southern Miss. She has reached base in all four games thus far, and has a team-leading .583 on-base percentage.

Stat of the Day
Saturday marked the first time since 1999 that Rhody won its season opener. The Rams won three their first four games that season.

What's Next
Rhode Island returns to campus for the remainder of February. The Rams are off until Friday, March 2 when they travel to Georgia Tech to play five games over three days at the Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga.