Rhode Island Lineup
Cucinotta (CF), Genther (DH), Fortin (2B), Vargas (1B), Laske (C), DePino (3B), McCall (RF), McKenzie (LF), Salgado (ss), Twitchell (P)
 
South Alabama Lineup
Orbeta (2B), Jordan (3B), Simington (RF), Middleton (DH), Stokes (1B), Montiel (SS), Sullivan (LF), Powers (C), Turner (CF), Smith (P)
 
How it Happened
Eric Genther scored both Rhode Island runs in a 15-2 series opening loss at South Alabama Friday night. The Rhody rookie first crossed the plate in the top of the first – on an infield single by Jordan Laske – but the Jaguars put four runs on the board in the bottom of the inning, and added three more in the second, to lead 7-1 after two frames.
 
Genther scored again in the top of the fifth, making it a 7-2 game on a base hit by Xavier Vargas. That was as close as it got however as South Alabama tacked on four additional runs in the sixth, and put another four spot on the board on the seventh, for the eventual 15-2 win.
 
Rhody had threatened in the top of the eighth – loading the bases with no outs – but a strikeout, followed by an inning-ending double play, ended any hopes of a late comeback.

Inside the Box Score

• Defensively, Rhode Island committed five errors – which led to five unearned runs.
• Fifth-year senior starter Ryan Twitchell took the loss for the Rams. He was responsible for each of South Alabama's first seven runs.
• Freshmen Corey Savedoff and Ryan Andrade each made their collegiate debut against the Jaguars. Savedoff allowed zero earned runs through two innings of relief while Andrade tossed a scoreless eighth.
• Fifth-year senior Xavier Vargas went 3-for-4 with one RBI.
• Freshman Anthony DePino also had a multi-hit game for the Rams, going 2-for-4 on the night.
• Freshman Eric Genther scored both Rhode Island runs, despite an 0-for-2 night at the plate. He reached once via fielder's choice and also was hit by a pitch.
• The Rams combined for 10 hits, and left 12 runners on base.

Up Next
The Rams and Jaguars are back in action Saturday at 3 p.m (Eastern).