How it Happened
An opposite field home run from Billy Butler in the top of the seventh helped Rhode Island Baseball overtake host St. Bonaventure in the Atlantic 10 series opener Friday afternoon, 9-5.

After Butler's big fly put the team up 6-5, Alex Ramirez' two-RBI single in the eighth and a sac fly off the bat of Anthony DePino in the ninth lifted the team to its margin of victory. 

Both sides struggled to establish control at the start of the action, combining for seven runs in the opening four frames. DePino was first to score, helping the Rams (14-16, 4-3 A-10) hang a crooked number in the second with a two-run shot that collected Eric Genther. The early lead was quickly cut in half when the Bonnies (5-23, 2-5 A-10) answered with a solo shot of their own.

Each team scratched a run across in the third before a pair of unanswered scores in the fourth allowed St. Bonaventure to take its first lead of the day at 4-3. While the Rams struggled to get runners into scoring position, the home team used an RBI double to add another run in the sixth. Rhode Island starter Sean Sposato looked to be in further trouble when the bases were loaded with Bonnies, but reliever Zach Fernandez came in from the bullpen and ended the inning with a backwards K. 

Fueled by the momentum from the strikeout, Rhody's offense got going in the seventh and the team put three runners on. Though one was erased, Butler took St. Bonaventure's third arm of the day deep to put his squad ahead. Over the next two frames, both Ramirez and DePino drove in runners to put URI up 9-5. 

Fernandez was solid in relief and, after pitching two scoreless innings, handed the ball over to Ryan Andrade in the bottom of the ninth. A single and a walk did bring the tying run into the on-deck circle, but the closer held them off until the Rams ended the game with a double play. 

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt junior Zach Fernandez faced one over the minimum in 2.1 innings of relief, recording two strikeouts. He was credited with the win, moving his season record to 1-1. 
• Both redshirt senior Billy Butler and sophomore Anthony DePino contributed three RBI. 
• Butler (2-for-5) was one of three Rams to turn in a two-hit game, joined by redshirt junior Alex Ramirez (2-for-4) and sophomore Eric Genther (2-for-4).
• Eight different Rams chipped in at least one base hit, helping the team reach 11 total. 
• Of the team's 11 hits, five were for extra bases. 
• Freshman Connor Grotyohann, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, reached base in both of his plate appearances, thanks to a walk and a single. 
• Rhode Island now has 11 games with two-or-more home runs in 2023. 
• Redshirt junior Addison Kopack stretched his on-base streak to 22 games and has now hit safely in seven straight. 

What's Next
The series will continue with a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, April 15 that will be streamed on ESPN+. The series finale is set to follow at the same time on Sunday, April 16.