How It Happened
Rhode Island (16-22, 6-7 Atlantic 10) dropped both ends of a doubleheader to first-place Dayton Saturday, falling 7-1 and 5-1. In both cases, the visiting Flyers (25-13, 11-2 A-10) used big innings late to break open pitcher's duels.

Game 1 - Dayton 7, Rhode Island 1
Dayton's Izzy Kemp and Rhody's Liz Lynchard matched scoreless frames for the first four innings of the opener. URI had the better chances early, getting runners to third base with less than two outs in both the third and fourth innings. However, Kemp (10-5) pitched out of both jams.

The Flyers put together six hits - including five in a row at one point - to break the game open in the top of the fifth. Alyssa Cacini had the big hit with a two-run double, and Dayton built a 5-0 lead before the frame ended. Rhody got one run back on an RBI double from Rachel Zingerman that drove in Emily Power, but that was all the scoring URI was able to get off Kemp.

Game 2 - Dayton 5, Rhode Island 1
The second game played out the same as the first, with Dayton's Haven Dwyer (11-3) and URI's Katie Zaun (7-10) going toe-to-toe. Dayton scratched out a single run in the third inning when Nicolette Papavasiliou drove in Emma Schutter.

Dwyer did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when Kylie Bulinski singled through the left side. However, a double play erased her and Dwyer faced the minimum number of batters through five innings. The Rams finally broke through in the sixth when Becca Zawistowski led off with a single. Pinch runner Leilyn Alvarez advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Power, and she moved to third when an errant throw by Dayton on a pickoff attempt went into the outfield. Pinch hitter Caitlin O'Leary tied the game with an RBI groundout that brought Alvarez in.

The momentum was short lived. Emily Daniel led off the top of the seventh with a triple, and an infield single and walk loaded the bases with no outs. Alyssa Cacini delivered Daniel with a single to right field to give the Flyers the lead. Dayton tacked on three more to ice the game.
 
Inside the Box Scores

• Between games, eight Rhode Island players and two student managers were honored in a Senior Day ceremony. Outfielder Jessica Hennelly, pitcher Liz Lynchard, pitcher Piper Maguire, outfielder Caitlin O'Leary, outfielder Skyler Rapuano, pitcher CeCe Sidley, infielder Cassie Swenson and utility player Rachel Zingerman were recognized along with student managers Nathan Beliveau-Robinson and Kayley Cobb.
• Senior Rachel Zingerman was the lone Ram with multiple hits on the day. She had a double, single, one run batted in and a sacrifice bunt in seven plate appearances.
• Senior Cassie Swenson and graduate student Elena Gonzalez each had a triple, as three of Rhode Island's six hits on the day were for extra bases.
• Swenson moved into ninth place in program history with 220 career assists. She needs four more to pass Shaun Newmiller (223 from 2000-01) on URI's all-time list.
• Freshman Kylie Bulinski singled and drew a walk in six plate appearances.
• Senior Piper Maguire pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the first game. She has not allowed a run in her last four appearances.

 What's Next
Rhode Island and Dayton close out the series with a single game on Sunday, with first pitch set for 12:02 p.m. Weather-permitting, the game will be streamed on ESPN+.