How it Happened
Rhode Island (17-18, 7-4 Atlantic 10) exploded for four home runs in the sixth inning and then held on for the win as it defeated Davidson 8-6 Saturday afternoon.
The Rams trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the bats came alive in a big way.
Addison Kopack led off the inning with a solo shot to left field. After the next two batters grounded out,
Billy Butler and
Anthony DePino went back-to-back in a span of three pitches.
Rob Butler doubled to the gap in left center before
Connor Grotyohann drilled the fourth homer of the inning to give Rhody a 7-3 lead.
The Rams added a run an inning later on an RBI single from
Eric Genther that drove in
Alex Ramirez for a five-run lead.
Davidson (22-15, 8-3 Atlantic 10) did not go away quietly, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth. Michael O'Shaughnessy had a run-scoring single and Anthony Torreso added a sacrifice fly to trim the URI lead to 8-5. A fielder's choice grounder by Ryan Wilson brought O'Shaughnessy in to make it a two-run game.
The Wildcats got the potential tying runs on base in the top of the ninth with a pair of singles that put runners on the corners. However,
Ryan Andrade struck out the side to end the threat and the game as Rhody evened the key conference series.
Inside the Box Score
- Rhode Island hit four home runs in a game for the third time this season and now has 47 for the season. That is the fourth most in a season in program history.Â
- Six different Rams had two hits as URI pounded out 14 for the game.
- Freshman Connor Grotyohann homered, singled, drove in two runs and scored a pair.
- Redshirt junior Alex Ramirez singled twice, walked and scored two runs.
- Redshirt senior Billy Butler, Sophomore Anthony DePino and sophomore Rob Butler each had two hits - including one home run apiece - and scored one run.
- Freshman Michael Anderson doubled, singled and drove in two runs.
- Junior Trystan Levesque improved to 5-2 with 6.0 quality innings of work. He struck out eight batters and allowed just two earned runs.
- Sophomore Ryan Andrade worked 1.2 shutout innings to pick up his sixth save of the season. He is the 13th pitcher in program history to record at least six in one season.
What's Next
Rhode Island and Davidson close out the series with a rubber game Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN3.
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