Rhode Island Starters (31-18, 18-7 A-10)
DePino (3B), Genther (RF), Moroney (SS), Hopko (DH), Perron (1B), Notarangelo (LF), Penney (2B), Butler (C), McKenzie (CF), Aikens (P)
Saint Louis Starters (29-20, 16-9 A-10)
Blazier (CF), Iffrig (1B), Sitzman (2B), Stressler (RF), McGwire (DH), Gomric (LF), Beattie (3B), Sanchez (C), Neuweg (SS), Kelly (P)
How it Happened
Rhode Island scored two runs on sacrifice flies in the bottom of the ninth inning to walk-off with a 3-2 victory over Saint Louis Saturday.
In the completion of the series opener – which began Friday and was suspended by rain – the Rams trailed 2-1 heading into their final at bat.
Anthony DePino led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, and
Eric Genther followed with a double to right.
Reece Moroney lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring DePino in with the tying run. Genther moved to third on the play.
An intentional walk to
Jack Hopko put runners on the corners for
DJ Perron. He skied a ball to right that allowed Genther to come across with the winning run. URI had stranded 11 runners and been 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position over the first eight innings before the ninth-inning heroics.
Rhode Island struck first with a single run in the bottom of the first inning.
Anthony DePino led with a single and moved to second on an Eric Gether single.
Reece Moroney sacrificed both runners into scoring position before a walk to
DJ Perron loaded the bases with two outs, and
Nic Notarangelo walked on four pitches to force DePino in for a 1-0 lead.
Saint Louis got single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take its first lead. With one out and runners on the corners, a tapper back to the mound by Max McGwire resulted in a fielder's choice that drove in Riley Iffrig to tie the score. Iffrig factored in the second run as well. His sacrifice fly drove in Austin Neuweg from third for a 2-1 lead.
However, Rhode Island finally broke through in its last chance against Saint Louis reliever Charlie Weber (3-1). He had thrown 3.0 scoreless innings before Rhody's late rally.
Inside the Box Score
- Eric Genther was 4-for-4, hitting two doubles and two singles in addition to scoring the game-winning run.
- Anthony DePino singled twice, was hit by a pitch and scored two runs.
- Freshman Parker Aikens was outstanding for Rhode Island in his first career start, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing just one run on three hits and three walks. He struck out five batters.
- Nic Notarangelo singled, walked and drove in one run.
- DJ Perron and Scott Penney each singled once. Perron also had the sacrifice fly on the game-winning run.
- Joe Sabbath (7-2) picked up the victory by retiring the only batter he faced.
Up Next
Rhode Island and Saint Louis will play the middle game of the series Saturday afternoon. The game is scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+.
Â