Rhode Island Starters
Hernandez (CF); McNally (LF); Zawistowski (1B); Torres (SS); Knarr (DP); Fairbanks (C); Orndorff (RF); Frickleton (3B); Miller (2B); Hibbard (P)

East Texas A&M Starters
Wright (1B); Anger (3B); Alejo (C); Joyce (DP); Arzola (LF); Cosek (RF); Hipolito (SS); Miehe (2B); Rodriguez (CF); Muller (P)

How It Happened
Rhode Island threatened all night long but could not produce any runs as it fell 1-0 at East Texas A&M Friday night at the Lion Invitational in Commerce, Texas.

The Rams (1-1) were trying to start 2-0 for the first time in 27 seasons, dating back to 1999. Rhody got at least one runner on base in each of the first eight innings, putting 11 in scoring position. However, Rhody was unable to break through against East Texas A&M starter Maddie Muller (1-1), who routinely escaped trouble each time.

In the top of the eighth, Rhode Island began the inning with Julianne Torres on second. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Knarr. A walk to Brooke Fairbanks put runners on the corners with one out. Sydney Orndorff chopped a ball to third base, and Torres got hung up in a run down. She managed to stay alive long enough for Fairbanks and Orndorff to get into scoring position, but a groundout by Riley Frickleton ended the frame.

That was Rhody's last gasp, as the Lions (5-4) came up with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Zoey Hipolito was placed on second to start the inning and Emmie Miehe sacrificed her to third base. Emma Rodriguez followed with a hard grounder to shortstop, but with the URI infield drawn in, the play could not be made and Hipolito scored to end the game.

East Texas A&M did not get its first hit off URI starter Ashley Hibbard until Tatum Wright led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Charli Anger. With two down, Jenna Joyce singled up the middle and Wright was waved around third. Centerfielder Hannah Hernandez fired a one-hopper to catcher Brooke Fairbanks, who applied the tag on Wright to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

The host Lions threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. Wright drew a one-out walk that knocked Hibbard from the game. Sarah Trosin came on in relief and found herself in a jam when a wild pitch advanced Wright to second. Trosin got Anger to fly out to right, which allowed Wright to tag up and move to third. After a walk put runners on the corners. Trosin got Joyce on a tapper back to the circle, keeping the game tied.

Inside the Box Score

• Ashley Hibbard did not factor in the decision despite a quality start. She pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out six batters while allowing just three singles and one walk.
• Sarah Trosin (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite a solid relief outing. She allowed just one hit in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. She did not get hit with a run allowed, since it was the automatic runner who scored in extra innings.
• Katie Knarr doubled and singled.
• Hannah Hernandez singled twice, walked and stole one base.
• She has two hits in each of the first two games to start the season.
• Sydney Orndorff singled and walked.
• Becca Zawistowski doubled and walked.
• Catcher Brooke Fairbanks threw out East Texas A&M's KK Cosek in the second inning, nabbing the first runner to test her behind the plate.
• Meg McNally made her first career start, getting the nod in left field.

Up Next
Rhode Island plays a pair of games on Saturday. The Rams battle Grambling State at 4:45 p.m EST and then Jackson State at 7 p.m. EST. Both games will stream on LionAthletics.com.