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University of Rhode Island

coley
Michaela Benford
5
VCU VCU 25-28, 11-11 A-10
8
Winner Rhode Island URI 21-27, 11-11 A-10
VCU VCU
25-28, 11-11 A-10
5
Final
8
Rhode Island URI
21-27, 11-11 A-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
VCU VCU 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 5 8 0
Rhode Island URI 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 X 8 8 1

W: Sposato, Sean (4-6) L: Gladden, James (5-3) S: Urena, Jeremy (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Coley Returns, Lifts Rhody to Key Win

How it Happened
Mark Coley provided a major boost in his return to the lineup as he led Rhode Island to a vital 8-5 victory over VCU in the opener of a three-game series Thursday afternoon. With the victory, the Rams moved within a game of clinching a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship next week.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, Rhody (21-27, 11-11 Atlantic 10) exploded for five runs. Michael Anderson was hit by a pitch, Anthony DePino singled and Eric Genther walked to load the bases with one out. Addison Kopack delivered a single through the right side to bring Anderson and DePino in to tie the score. After a groundout, Coley drilled an opposite-field homer to right for a three-run shot that put the Rams ahead.

VCU (25-28, 11-11 A-10) responded with two runs in the top of the fourth as the game very much had the feel of two teams scratching and clawing for the final postseason spot. However, URI's vaunted offense came right back with three in the bottom of the frame. Anderson scored on a passed ball, and Billy Butler came home on a balk. Coley capped the inning with an RBI single that drove in Kopack for an 8-4 lead.

From there, Rhody starter Sean Sposato (4-6) provided a workman-like effort, pitching into the seventh inning. He allowed just three earned runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings, settling down after the fourth. He gave way to Jeremy Urena, who blanked VCU on one hit over the final 2.1 innings to lock down the important win.

Inside the Box Score
  • Redshirt senior Mark Coley had not played in 50 days due to a broken jaw. He was 2-for-4 with a home run, single, four runs batted in and one run scored in his return.
  • The home run was his seventh of the season.
  • Freshman Jeremy Urena earned his first career save with his strong outing out of the 'pen.
  • Redshirt junior Addison Kopack singled twice, scored twice and drove in a pair. He also walked once.
  • Freshman Michael Anderson singled, walked, was hit by a pitch and scored twice. 
  • Sophomore Anthony DePino singled, walked and scored a run.
  • Senior Billy Butler doubled and scored once. 
What's Next
Due to inclement weather, the format for the weekend series has shifted. The teams will now play the remaining two games in a doubleheader beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19. The senior day ceremony will be held prior to the start of game two, which is the only contest that will be streamed. 
 
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