Rhode Island Starters (0-1)
Grotyohann (LF), Moroney (SS), Hopko (RF), King (DH), Medina (CF), Penney (2B), Thompson (1B), Leikus (C), Connolly (3B), Perry (P)

Jacksonville Starters (1-0)
Walter (RF), Shields (CF), Vergara (2B), Grunberg (1B), Bermudez (DH), Spelman (C), Baratta (3B), Mummau (SS), Ogbourne (LF), Walsh (P) 

How it Happened
Rhode Island dropped its season opener at Jacksonville 16-3 on Friday night in seven innings. Jacksonville scored the first 15 runs of the game, including 10 runs in the home half of the first inning. Jacksonville's Cade Walter hit two, first inning home runs including a grand slam to distance the Dolphins from the Rams. 

The Rams generated offense with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Reece Moroney was hit by a pitch which pushed Scott Penney across home plate to break Jacksonville's shutout bid and give Rhode Island its first run of 2026. 

Rhode Island's best offensive inning came in the top of the seventh inning. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Brian Connolly scored off an RBI single from Ryan Henschel. After Henschel's single, the Rams loaded the bases with an Aiden Botti base hit, and a Jack Hopko walk all with no outs. From there, pinch hitter Jayden Tolentino grounded into a double play that scored Henschel. 

Inside the Box Score

• Reece Moroney finished the game 1-for-2 with a single and an RBI.
• Scott Penney went 2-for-2 with a walk an a run scored.
• Pinch hitter Ryan Henschel had an RBI single in his lone at bat of the game. 
• Brian Connolly made his Rhode Island debut and reached base in all three of his plate appearances.
• Connolly had a single and two walks. 
• Dorsy Asencio threw 2.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Rams allowing one run on one hit while striking out a pair. 

Up Next
Rhode Island continues it weekend series at Jacksonville with a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 14. First pitch in game one is set for 1 p.m. There is no video stream of either game on Saturday, but live stats are available HERE.