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

Massachusetts Lineup
Adie (CF), Yanakopulos (3B), McLam (2B), Geannelis (1B), Picard (RF), Walsh (C), Robinson (LF), Jennings (C), Scifo (SS), LeBlanc (P)  

How it Happened
The Rams (21-20-1, 13-7) took a 1-0 lead on their first hit of the game, as Mike Sherburne sent a third-inning home run out over the left field wall for the early advantage. Rhody tacked on another in the top of the fourth - when Chris Hess scored on and RBI single by Mike Corin - and made it 3-0 in the top of the fifth, thanks to Matt O'Neil's first career home run.

Massachusetts (14-24, 10-10) made it a one-run game in the bottom of the inning however, as Kyle Adie doubled to right to drive in a pair of runs.

Massachusetts threatened in the sixth, but a fly out to center ended the frame with a runner on third. The following inning, UMass advanced runners to second and third with one out, but Tyler Wilson got back-to-back strikeouts to preserve Rhode Island's 3-2 lead. The third time was a charm for the Minutemen, who got an RBI single from Dylan Morris to knot things up at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth. 

The Rams came right back in the top of the ninth though. O'Neil led off by reaching on a hit-by-pitch before being subbed out in favor of pinch-runner Mike Foley, who promptly stole second to get into scoring position. Foley then took third on a wild pitch and, shortly after, crossed the plate on a botched pitchout to Tim Caputo.

UMass put two runners on in the bottom of the ninth to keep things interesting, but Taso Stathopoulos came in and got a game-ending strikeout to secure the win for the Rams.

What it Means
Rhode Island remains in a three-way tie first place in the Atlantic 10 standings as today's other conference matchups saw Saint Louis defeating George Washington (5-2) and Richmond defeating Dayton (9-2). Rhody, Saint Louis and Richmond all currently sit at 13-7 in the Atlantic 10.

Inside the Box Score

• In his only at-bat of the game, senior Mike Sherburne homered to left field to give Rhody a 1-0 lead. It was his third home run of the season.
• Redshirt sophomore Matt O'Neil also homered in the win, for his first career shot. He finished the day 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.
• Freshman Jordan Powell also recorded two hits for the Rams, to go along with three putouts in centerfield.
• Freshman Tyler Wilson recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts over seven innings of work in a no-decision start. He stood in line for the win when he exited the game, and allowed just two runs for his eighth quality start of the season.
• Junior Brad Applin earned the win, allowing two hits over an inning and a third of shutout relief.
• Sophomore Taso Stathopoulos was credited with the save, his second of the season. He threw just four pitches, striking out Adam Picard to end the game.

What's Next 
The Rams and Minutemen return to Earl Lorden Field to close out the series at Noon on Sunday.