Rhode Island Lineup
White (CF), Brodeur (2B), Ulliana (C), Vargas (1B), Butler (DH), Fortin (3B), Coley (RF),Ramirez (SS), McCall (LF), Twitchell (P)
 
Saint Joseph's Lineup
Hueth (CF), Cossetti (C), Bendo (2B), Thomas (3B), Callahan (LF), Picollo (RF), Livingston (DH), Zimmerman (1B), Trigiani (SS), McCole (P)

How it Happened
Rhode Island battled from behind throughout the day and fell in the series opener against Saint Joseph's, 6-5, Friday afternoon.

Rhody (21-22-1, 8-5 Atlantic 10) battled back from a four-run deficit and managed to tie the score. However, Saint Joseph's (16-15, 10-7 A-10) had an answer each time.

Saint Joseph's got on the board first with a pair of runs in the top of the second. After a leadoff walk to Nate Thomas, Brett Callahan tripled into the corner in right field. Ryan Picollo followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Callahan for a 2-0 lead. The Hawks increased the lead to 4-0 when Langston Livingston hit a two-run single that drove in Callahan and Picollo.

Rhody cut into the lead with a three-run fourth inning. After the first two batters were retired, Billy Butler doubled to left center. Joe Fortin followed with a single to bring him home. Mark Coley doubled to the corner in left, allowing Fortin to score. Alex Ramirez singled up the middle to drive in Coley to make it a one-run game, 4-3.

Saint Joseph's got a solo shot to dead center from Picollo in the top of the sixth to push the lead back to two runs at 5-3.

Rhody evened the score in the bottom of the seventh. Butler and Fortin got things started with back-to-back singles. Coley singled up the middle to bring Butler around to score. After two outs were recorded, Austin White dropped a single in left, bringing Fortin in to tie the game, 5-5.

The Hawks took their turn in the top of the eighth, manufacturing a run with two outs. After the first two batters were retired, Callahan reached on an infield single. Picollo looped a single to right, sending Callahan around to third. Livingston singled through the right side to drive in Callahan and put Saint Joseph's back ahead, 6-5.

Inside the Box Score

• Five players had multi-hit games for Rhode Island.
• Billy Butler doubled, singled, walked and scored two runs.
• Mark Coley doubled, singled drove in two runs and scored one run.
• Joe Fortin singled twice, scored twice and drove in a run.
• Alex Ramirez singled twice, walked and drove in one run.
• Austin White singled three times and drew a walk. He also drove in one run.
• Josh Brodeur double and walked.

Up Next
Rhode Island and Saint Joseph's are back at Bill Beck Field for a doubleheader Saturday. The first game begins at noon.