How It Happened
Emily Power hit a grand slam to key a six-run rally that led Rhode Island to its first postseason victory in more than 20 years. Sixth-seeded Rhody advanced to the second day of the Atlantic 10 Championship by eliminating fifth-seeded Fordham, 9-6, Wednesday evening.
 
Rhode Island (23-30-1) trailed 2-0 in the third inning before it erupted for six runs. Hannah Hernandez led off with a triple and scored on a Rachel Zingerman single. A fielder's choice grounder put Elena Gonzalez on first. A Kylie Bulinski single and a walk to Jessica Hennelly loaded the bases. With two outs, Becca Zawistowki was hit by a pitch to force Gonzalez in with the tying run.

Power then fouled off five pitches before launching a deep shot to left field. Her first career home run cleared the bases and put the Rams ahead 6-2.

Fordham (20-28) got it back to a one-run game when Bailey Enoch hit her second home run of the game. She had a two-run shot in the first and a three-run blast in the bottom of the third to make it 6-5.

Rhody came right back in the next inning, taking advantage of a defensive meltdown by Fordham. URI scored three times despite having just one hit, as Fordham committed five errors. All of the scoring came with two outs, as Rhody pushed its lead back to 9-5.

Fordham managed to get an unearned run of its own in the bottom of the fourth, but Katie Zaun shut it down from there. She finished 4.0 scoreless innings of relief to help Rhody survive and advance.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The win was Rhode Island's first in the postseason since a victory over Temple in the 2002 Atlantic 10 Championship.
• Eight different URI players scored a run.
• Sophomore Emily Power's grand slam was Rhode Island's ninth home run of the season.
• Senior Jessica Hennelly singled, walked and scored two runs.
• Senior Rachel Zingerman singled, walked, scored and drove in one run.
• Senior Skyler Rapuano and freshman Kylie Bulinski both singled and scored once.
• Freshman Hannah Hernandez had her second career triple and scored a run.
• Freshman Becca Zawiskowski was hit by a pitch, scored one run and had one RBI.
• Sophomore Katie Zaun earned her eighth win of the season.

What's Next
Rhode Island's opponent on Thursday is still to be determined. URI will face the lowest-seeded loser from tomorrow's first two games in an elimination game Thursday evening at 5 p.m.