Rhode Island Starters (15-20)
Penney (2B), King (DH), Moroney (SS), Hopko (RF), Thompson (1B), Calandrelli (3B), Hindle (LF), Maceda (CF), Tolentino (C), Kopetski (P)

Merrimack Starters (13-19)
DeShiro (2B), Craigue (SS), Frammartino (RF), Cristino (1B), Hamilton (3B), Andrews (DH), McKinnon (CF), Yennaco (C), Koch (LF), Bradshaw (P)

How it Happened
Rhode Island fell to Merrimack, 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Bill Beck Field. The Rams struggled offensively, particularly in key late-inning situations, as the Warriors secured the win in Kingston.

After falling behind 4-0, Rhode Island got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Ryan Thompson launched an opposite-field home run to right, cutting the deficit to 4-1. Thompson accounted for both of the Rams' runs on the day. In the eighth, Rhode Island threatened with the bases loaded and Thompson was hit by a pitch, forcing Ryan King across home plate to make it 5-2. However, the Rams were unable to capitalize further and left the bases loaded.

Rhode Island put more pressure on in the ninth when Will Hindle doubled and Jayden Tolentino was hit by a pitch, bringing the tying run to the plate with one out. However, Merrimack then recorded the final two outs to seal the victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island's final three relievers in the game, AJ Jones, Parker Aikens, and Colin Maloney, combined to retire the final nine Merrimack batters.
• Jones pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Aikens retired the side in the eighth. Maloney faced the minimum three batters in the ninth and struck out a pair. 
• Ryan Thompson went 3-for-3 and reached base in all four plate appearances he had. He had a home run, a run scored, and two RBI.
• Ryan King went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
• Will Hindle went 2-for-4 with a double. 

Up Next
Rhode Island begins a three-game series at St. Bonaventure on Friday, April 17. The Rams and Bonnies will play a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. on Friday before the series finale on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.