How It Happened
Junior Liz Lynchard pitched out of a tight jam in the bottom of the seventh to help Rhode Island hold off Colgate and win its season opener, 2-1, in URI's first game at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic in Boiling Springs, N.C. Friday.

With the Rams (1-0) nursing a one-run run, Colgate got a leadoff single from Adrienne Nardone and a double by Kara Fusco to get the potential tying and winning runs in scoring position with no outs. However, Lynchard was able to bear down. She induced back-to-back groundouts to first base that were handled cleanly by Rachel Zingerman, then got a pop out to second basemen Cassie Swenson to end the threat and the ballgame.

Rhode Island's lone hit in the game came in the top of the second inning when senior Susan Harrison crushed a two-out solo shot to left for the first run of the game. Colgate (0-1) tied the score in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out double by Meaghan Houk that drove in Jillian Herbst.

URI had a quick response in the next half inning, manufacturing a run. Leilyn Alvarez drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Sami Villarreal followed with a walk of her own, and both women advanced on a groundout. With one out and Colgate trying to be careful with Ari Castillo at the plate, a passed ball allowed Alvarez to cross the plate with the eventual winning run.  

Rhody's defense came up big in the bottom of the sixth inning. With nobody out and Colgate's Bailey Burns on second base, Lynchard struck out Taylor Ludwick on a pitch in the dirt, and Harrison threw the batter out at first. Ari Castillo then fired across to third basemen Emily Power, who tagged out Burns trying to advance on the play. Lynchard got a groundout to end the inning.

With the win, Rhode Island won its season opener for just the third time in the last 22 seasons. The Rams look to start 2-0 for the first time since 1999 when it plays Gardner-Webb Friday evening.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The game marked the Rhode Island debut for head coach Whitney Goldstein. She joined Nancy Langham as the only coaches in program history to win their debut.
• Junior Liz Lynchard went the distance while picking up the win. She scattered five hits, struck out six batters and walked just one.
• Senior Susan Harrison's home run was the 10th of her career. She is just the 15th URI player to reach double digits in home runs.
• Freshman Leilyn Alvarez walked and scored the game-winning run.
• She and classmate Emily Power both started in their collegiate debuts. Alvarez was in center field, while Power handled third base.
• Rhode Island did not commit an error. Second baseman Margaux Lesser had a team-high four assists while also recording one putout.
• Senior Sami Villarreal drew a walk. It was her 43rd career walk in 58 games played.

What's Next
Rhode Island plays against host Gardner-Webb Friday evening at the Runnin' Bulldogs Classic. First pitch is schedule for 5 p.m.