Rhode Island Lineup
Hess (2B), Figueroa (3B), Powell (CF), Olmo (RF), McManus (1B), Wilson (DH), Livingston (C), Corin (LF), Hill (SS), Flanagan (P)

Massachusetts Lineup
Scifo (SS), Morris (CF), Hart (LF), Jennings (C), Geannelis (1B), Carey (RF), Lever (2B), Mrowka (DH), Avalllone (3B), Lasko (P)

How it Happened
Brett McManus had three hits and drove in four runs to help Rhode Island knock off Massachusetts 11-8 Saturday afternoon. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Rams (24-22, 15-5 A-10), who have won 10 of their last 11 Atlantic 10 contests.

In the home half of the first, Chris Hess led off with a double, Jordan Powell reached on an error and Ryan Olmo worked a walk to load the bases. McManus sliced a double down the right field line to give Rhody an early 2-0 lead. Connor Foreman followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Olmo with the third run of the frame.

The Minutemen (14-26, 7-13 A-10) broke through with six runs in the top of the second. UMass loaded the bases on a hit batter, walk and single before Rhody starter Evan Flanagan hit Dylan Morris to bring in the first run. Mike Hart singled through the right side to drive in a pair and tie the game. Nick Johnson came on in relief, but a double, walk, fielder's choice and an error allowed three more runs to score before the rally ended.

Rhode Island came right back with three runs in the bottom of the second. Martin Figueroa had an RBI single, and Olmo and McManus were both hit by pitches with the bases loaded to help tie the game. Mike Corin tripled to start the Rhody third, and Laurence Hill was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. With one out, Figueroa lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in Corin and put the Rams back in front. Olmo and McManus each added RBI singles to push the lead to 9-6.

UMass scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but the Minutemen did not get any closer. With the victory, Rhode Island clinched its sixth A-10 series victory of the season.  

Inside the Box Score

• Before the game, redshirt junior Ben Wessel was presented with the first Joseph Ciancola Scholarship Award. The award is named for the former Rhode Island pitcher who passed away in October of 2011. Ciancola's sister Lindsay and former teammate Mike Lebel were on hand for the pregame ceremony. 
• Redshirt sophomore Chris Hess tripled and doubled. He also scored twice and leads the team with 41 runs scored on the year.
• The triple was the 10th of his career for Hess, moving him into a tie with Mike LaBarbera (1998-2001) for fourth place in program history.
• Freshman Brett McManus had a double, two singles, was hit by a pitch and drove in four runs. It was the third three-hit game of his career.
• Junior Martin Figueroa singled, drove in three runs and scored one run.
• Senior Ryan Olmo singled, walked, was hit by a pitch, drove in two runs and scored one run.
• Sophomore Jordan Powell had a bunt single, walked and scored two runs.
• Freshman Laurence Hill singled, was hit by a pitch and scored two runs.
• Junior Mike Corin tripled twice, walked, stole a base, drove in one and scored twice.
• Senior Chase Livingston singled, stole a base and scored once.
• Rhode Island had two batters reach via error. Both eventually came around to score.
• Sophomore Nick Johnson (2-1) earned the victory in relief, allowing one run in 2.2 innings of work. 
• Redshirt sophomore Tyler Barss closed out the game to earn his 11th save of the season, tying the Rhode Island single-season record set by Luke Demko in 2009. Barss also moved into a tie for second in program history with his 13th career save.
• The game featured nine hit batsmen and 13 walks.
• The contest played in a brisk three hours and 25 minutes. The first two innings took one hour and 15 minutes, as 12 different players – six on each side – scored in the first two frames.

Up Next
Rhode Island and Massachusetts close out the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to the start of the game, the Rams will hold a brief ceremony to honor their seven graduating seniors: Brad Applin, Matt Ferraiolo, Connor Foreman, Derek Gardella, Chase Livingston, Steve Moyers and Ryan Olmo.