University of Rhode Island

No. 5 Rhode Island Starters
Penney (2B), Thompson (1B), Moroney (SS), Hopko (RF), King (3B), Connolly (DH), Leikus (C), Botti (LF), Henschel (CF), Cullen (P)

No. 1 Saint Joseph's Starters
Gale (DH), Kelsey (CF), Primrose (C), Beggy (3B), Pagano (LF), Janesko (RF), Dickinson (2B), Venezia (1B), Applegate (SS), McCarron (P)

How it Happened
Rhode Island beat Saint Joseph's 17-9 and advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals on Thursday afternoon at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va. It was the second consecutive game that Rhode Island scored 17 or more runs on 20 hits.

The Rams led 10-1 entering the bottom of the seventh when Saint Joseph's scored six runs in the frame to make it a three-run affair. Rhode Island added seven runs in the top of the ninth to distance itself from the surging Hawks.

Rhode Island scored its first four runs in the ninth all with no outs. A Brian Connolly single through the left side plated both Reece Moroney and Jack Hopko. Then Danny Leikus doubled down the left field line and scored both Ryan King and Connolly. Two batters later, Scott Penney doubled in both Leikus and Ryan Henschel to give Rhode Island a comfortable 17-7 lead.

Saint Joe's added two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Tommy Turner, who entered the game in the seventh, did enough to ice the game and notch his second save of the season.

After Saint Joseph's took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Rhode Island managed to score runs in the third and fourth innings to take its first lead of the game. Ryan Thompson doubled in Henschel to tie the game in the third, then the Rams took their first lead of the game on a King solo home run to deep left field. Thompson exited the game after his double with an injury suffered while legging out the hit.

King's home run started a streak of four straight hits for the Rams. Connolly singled after the homer, then advanced to third on a single from Leikus. Connolly then scored on a single from Aidan Botti. That sequence led to a 3-1 Rhode Island lead.

Despite struggling in the first inning, Jake Cullen settled in on the bump for the Rams. After hitting the first batter of the game and then surrendering back-to-back doubles, Cullen retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced. St. Joe's left the bases loaded in the first, and Cullen then retired the side in order in both the second and third innings.

The Hawks threatened against Cullen in the bottom of the fourth, but again the sophomore responded sharply. St. Joe's had runners on first and second with no outs. Cullen then induced two fly outs and a ground out to escape the inning unscathed.

Cullen later gave way to Manny Santos, Parker Aikens, and Turner. Turner threw the final 2.1 innings of the game to help push the Rams to Friday's semifinals.

Inside the Box Score

• For the second straight game each starter hit safely in the game. 
• Reece Moroney, Ryan King, and Danny Leikus all had three hits for the Rams. 
• King hit a pair of home runs, scored three times, and notched three RBI.
• Moroney doubled, had two runs score, an RBI, and stole a base.
• Leikus had a double with two RBI and two runs scored.
• Ryan Thompson, Jack Hopko, Brian Connolly, and Aidan Botti each had two hits.
• Jake Cullen threw 6.1 inning allowing five runs on four hits while striking out six. He earned the victory in the outing. 
• Parker Aikens made his 29th appearance of the season and tied his own record from a season ago for appearances in a single season in program history. 
• Tommy Turner struck out five batters over the final 2.1 innings of the game and recorded his second save of the season. 

Up Next
Rhode Island awaits the winner for this evening's match up between No. 2 Richmond and No. 3 VCU. The championship semifinal contest will start at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 22.