Rhode Island Starters
Moroney (SS), Hopko (DH), Anderson (1B), Perron (RF), DePino (3B), Hindle (LF), Genther (CF), Borrelli (C), Penney (2B), Sposato (P)
UMass Starters
Skagerlind (CF), Burgess (1B), Travisano (SS), Gervasi (DH), Sullivan (2B), Tichy (LF), Hanson (RF), Beverly (3B), Toth (C), Lints (C)
How it Happened
Rhode Island Baseball faltered an early lead in its Saturday game against Massachusetts, losing 4-2 at Bill Beck Field.
The Rams (6-17, 1-4 Atlantic 10) scored twice in the opening frame on a single from
Michael Anderson and an RBI groundout from
Will Hindle but were shut out for the remaining eight innings.
Massachusetts (9-16, 2-4 A-10) initially got on the board in the third with a two-out double that scratched a run across and added another in the following at-bat thanks to a single, knotting up the score at 2-2.
The visitors threatened to break the tie in the fifth after three consecutive base hits but starting arm
Sean Sposato got out of the jam. Eventually, UMass did plate the go-ahead run by taking reliever
Connor Grotyohann deep with a solo shot to start the eighth inning. The home run awarded Massachusetts its first lead of the weekend at 3-2.
In the following frame, a batter beat the shift to bring in an insurance run and push the score to its final margin of 4-2.
Despite having the bottom of the order up, the Rams created a great opportunity to get back in it in the final frame.
Eric Genther got aboard with a one-out single and was joined on the base paths when
Scott Penney beat the shift with a two-out single.
Reece Moroney then drew a walk as the go-ahead run to load up the bases but a ball hit to the second baseman ended the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Both sophomore Michael Anderson and freshman Scott Penney led the offense with a 2-for-4 clip at the plate.
- Anderson additionally picked up an RBI and scored one run.
- Freshman Reece Moroney drew two walks and junior Anthony DePino also worked one, breaking a three-game drought for the Rams.
- Graduate student DJ Perron was 1-for-4 with a double.
- URI batters struck out a season-low three times.
- Graduate student Sean Sposato left the game without a decision after a 5.0-inning start. He issued seven hits and a pair of walks to go along with a season-high six strikeouts.
- Sophomore Connor Grotyohann took the loss, moving his season record to 0-5. He let up one run on one hit in 2.0 innings and struck out one Minuteman.
- Junior Kenny Heon pitched 2.0 frames in relief and was charged with one run.
- The series will now be decided by a rubber match, since the Rams won 6-1 on Friday afternoon.
Up Next
The series will wrap up with a 12 p.m. game on Sunday, April 7.