Rhode Island Lineup
Caputo (SS), Olmo (RF), Hess (2B), Taveras (DH), Corin (1B), DeRegis (LF), O'Neil (3B), Gardella (C), Powell (CF), Wilson (P)    

La Salle Lineup
McGowan (SS), Savakinus (3B), Williams (P), Johnson (LF), Welling (C), Springston (RF), Arnold (1B), George (CF), Flax (2B)

How it Happened
La Salle (24-26-1, 12-11) never trailed in the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first and holding on until Rhody evened it up in the fourth. Chris Hess led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to third on a base hit by Martin Taveras. Mike Corin was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Nick DeRegis, who grounded into a double play which allowed Hess to score and make it a 1-1 game.

The Explorers tacked on two more in the sixth - on an RBI groundout and a wild pitch - before extending the lead to 6-1 in the top of the eighth. 

Rhode Island (22-23-1, 14-9) pushed across its final run of the game in the bottom of the ninth after getting back-to-back doubles by Matt O'Neil and Derek Gardella.

Inside the Box Score

• The Rams and the Explorers both finished with nine hits on the afternoon, but Rhody committed two errors in the field while La Salle had none.
• After dropping the first two games to La Salle, the Rams have suffered their first Atlantic 10 series loss since opening conference play at Saint Louis (March 20-22). 
• Redshirt freshman Chris Hess was 2-for-4 with a run scored. He has now reached base in 11 consecutive games for the Rams.
• Redshirt sophomore Matt O'Neil also went 2-for-4 and scored a run while adding four assists at third base. 
• Redshirt junior Derek Gardella had Rhode Island's lone RBI of the game, in the bottom of the ninth. Overall, he reached three times, on a pair of hits and a walk. The Rhody catcher has now been walked 11 times in his last 11 games played.
• Freshman starter Tyler Wilson was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over 6.0 innings. He struck out six and walked just one.
• Redshirt sophomore Ben Wessel closed out the game with two innings of scoreless relief. He struck out three, walked none and allowed just one hit.
• La Salle reliever Greg Krug earned the win while Jorge Jiminez picked up the four-inning save.

What's Next 
The Rams and Explorers return to Bill Beck Field to close out the regular season at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Prior to the start of the game, Rhode Island will hold a brief ceremony to recognize its five graduating seniors.