Rhode Island Lineup
Hess (2B), Figueroa (C), Powell (CF), O'Neil (3B), Corin (LF), McManus (1B), Foley (RF), Hill (DH), Heiss (SS), Johnson (P)

Davidson Lineup
Johnson (CF), Robertson (RF), Acosta (2B), Fortier (1B), Jones (DH), Sidwell (C), Lebek (LF), Bazin (SS), Agard (3B), O'Linger (P)

How it Happened
Rhode Island (8-10, 1-0 A-10) struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Brett McManus doubled down the left field line to score Mike Corin from first base. 

The Rams added two more the following inning as Chris Hess reached on an infield single, stole second and then crossed the plate on a single to right by Martin Figueroa. A base hit by Jordan Powell then put runners on the corners, setting up Matt O'Neil's sacrifice fly that gave Rhody a 3-0 advantage.

Meanwhile, Nick Johnson kept the Wildcats in check at the plate, facing just three over the minimum through the first six innings.

Davidson (11-9, 2-2 A-10) eventually got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 3-2 ballgame but Rhody scored twice in the top of the eighth to go back up by three. With Kevin Heiss on second and Figueroa on first, the Rams executed a double steal with Heiss also crossing the plate when Davidson catcher Jake Sidwell's throw down to third sailed out into left field. Figueroa then scored on another single by Powell to seal the 5-2 win.

Inside the Box Score

• As a team, Rhode Island collected 12 hits on the night, compared to Davidson's eight. 
• The Rams also played flawless defense for the sixth time this season.
• Redshirt senior Mike Corin reached base four times on two singles, a double and a hit-by-pitch. He also scored a run for the Rams.
• Junior Jordan Powell and redshirt sophomore Laurence Hill both collected a pair of hits in the win. Powell also drove in his seventh run of the season.
• Sophomore Brett McManus had an RBI double while recording 10 putouts and one assist at first base.
• Redshirt junior Chris Hess singled, scored a run and stole a base. He is now a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts this season.
• Senior Martin Figueroa went 1-for-2 with three walks. He also scored twice, drove in a run and stole two bases.
• Sophomore Kevin Heiss also swiped a pair of bags, singled and scored a run.
• Junior Nick Johnson earned the win, his first of the season. He struck out five and allowed just one walk with seven hits over a 6.2-inning start.
• Redshirt senior Blaise Whitman fanned three and allowed just one single through 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn his first career save. 

Up Next
The Rams and Wildcats return to Wilson Field for Game 2 of the Atlantic 10 series, Saturday at 2 p.m.