University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Starters (23-28, 16-13 Atlantic 10)
Penney (2B), Thompson (1B), Moroney (SS), Hopko (RF), King (3B), Connolly (DH), Leikus (C), Botti (LF), Henschel (CF), Cullen (P)

Saint Joseph's Starters (34-18, 24-5 Atlantic 10)
Gale (RF), Kelsey (CF), Primrose (DH), Beggy (3B), Dickinson (2B), Applegate (SS), Pagano (LF), Saker (1B), Peterson (C), McCarron (P)

How it Happened
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth inning, Ryan Henschel drew a five-pitch walk that pushed Ryan King home and gave Rhode Island a 4-3 win over Saint Joseph's on Friday afternoon.

With the win, the Rams have clinched a postseason berth to the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship next week in Tysons, Va. 

Rhode Island had led for a majority of the game. The Ram took their first lead in the bottom of the first. Jack Hopko drilled a two-run homer to right field that gave Rhode Island an early 2-0 advantage. The Rams would add to that lead in the bottom of the third on a Ryan Thompson double that scored Scott Penney.

As the Rams offense worked through the first third of the game, its pitching staff limited the St. Joe's bats to just three hits in the game. Starter Jake Cullen pitched into the sixth inning and allowed just two hits. Parker Aikens relieved Cullen and retired the first six batters he faced. Joe Sabbath entered in the ninth with the game tied. Sabbath retired all six batters his faced to secure the win for the Rams. 

The Hawks had tied the game up at 3-3 in the top of the eighth inning. The game remained tied until Rhode Island's walk-off effort in the bottom of the tenth. 

Inside the Box Score

• Despite Rhode Island clinching a spot in the postseason, the Rams final seed in next week's A-10 Championship is yet to be determined. Base on the outcomes of its own, George Mason's, and Davidson's remaining games, Rhode Island could finish as the No.4 , No. 5, or No. 6 seed. 
• Ryan Thompson had a game-high two hits with a run scored and an RBI.
• Jack Homer launched his 18th home run of the season; the third-most in a single season in program history.
• Ryan Henschel reached base twice on a base hit and the walk-off RBI walk. 
• Ryan King had a base hit and a run scored.
• Brian Connolly had a double. 
• Jake Cullen pitched 5.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts. 
• Parker Aikens and Joe Sabbath each threw two innings in relief. 
• Aikens retired five of the six batters his faced while Sabbath retired all six of the batters he faced.