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

George Washington Lineup
Bartosic (CF), Selby (RF), Bryant (3B), Campbell (1B), Fassnacht (SS), Metz (P), Osis (LF), Chapman (C) Kashi (2B)

How it Happened
Chris Hess and Kevin Heiss combined for five hits and five runs batted in to lead Rhode Island past George Washington, 8-4, in an elimination game in the Atlantic 10 Championship Thursday night. A strong outing from freshman pitcher Vitaly Jangols helped the Rams lead throughout the night.

Second-seeded Rhode Island (31-21) got in front early, thanks to a two-out solo home run from Chris Hess in the top of the first inning. The Rams added a run in the top of the third when Martin Figueroa dropped a two-out single into shallow left field, allowing Kevin Heiss to score from second base.

Rhody broke the game open with a three-run rally in the top of the fourth inning. Hess led the frame off with a double and came around to score on an RBI single by Matt O'Neil. Sonny Ulliana then reached on a fielder's choice where O'Neil beat the throw to second second, and an infield single by Jesse Lee loaded the bases. After a foul out, Heiss lined a single up the middle to drive in O'Neil and Ulliana to make the score 5-0 Rhode Island.

Fourth-seeded George Washington (31-27) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, when Robbie Metz scored on an RBI groundout by Mark Osis, trimming the Rhode Island lead to 5-1.

The Rams got the run back immediately however, as Ulliana drew a leadoff walk to start the sixth, and singles by Lee and Mike Foley loaded the bases with one out. Heiss then drove in his third run of the night with a groundout that plated Ulliana and made the score 6-1.

The Colonials stayed in the game with a single run in the bottom of the sixth. Cody Bryant was hit by a pitch with one out and advanced to second on a groundout. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Nate Fassnacht singled up the middle, making it a 6-2 game. Jangols responded by striking out Metz to end the inning.

Again, the Rams responded right away. Figueroa walked to open the top of the seventh, and then scored from first on a double down the left field line by Hess. Mike Corin later drove in Hess with a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 8-2.

George Washington picked up another run in the bottom of the seventh, and scored once more in the bottom of the ninth to pull within 8-4, but a fly out ended the game with the potential tying run in the on-deck circle.

Inside the Box Score

• Sophomore Kevin Heiss singled twice, drove in three runs, scored one of his own and stole two bases. The three-RBI night matched his career best.
• Redshirt senior Chris Hess went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored and two batted in. The solo shot was his second in as many days as he also hit a long ball in the first inning of Wednesday's game against George Mason.
• With two doubles on the night, Hess now has 22 for the season, tying teammate Martin Figueroa for the third-best single-season total in program history. Figueroa had 22 doubles last season.
• Freshman Vitaly Jangols (7-1) gave Rhode Island a huge performance, hurling 8.0 innings for the win. He scattered six hits and recorded four strikeouts while allowing three runs. His outing allowed the Rams to preserve its pitching staff heading into Friday's action.
• Senior Martin Figueroa singled twice, walked once, scored once and drove in a run.
• Redshirt senior Matt O'Neil singled, scored once and drove in one run. The RBI was his 51st of the season.
• Redshirt senior Jesse Lee recorded a pair of base hits while juniors Mike Foley and Jordan Powell each singled once.
• Freshman Sonny Ulliana reached twice - on a walk and a fielders choice - and scored a pair of runs.

Up Next

Rhode Island advances to take on fifth-seeded Saint Louis in an elimination game Friday at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). The game will be televised by American Sports Network.

The winner of that game will play in a second elimination game Friday night at 8 p.m. (Eastern). That contest – also available on ASN – will be against the loser of the winner's bracket final between top-seeded VCU and sixth-seeded Davidson, which will be played at noon Friday.  

All of Friday's games will also be streamed free of charge on the Atlantic 10 Network.