University of Rhode Island

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

No. 3 VCU Starters
DeFranco (SS), Petite (CF), Lethert (DH), Lee (C), Flores (LF), Kirkpatrick (3B), Maher (1B), Warden (2B), Adelman (RF), Campbell (P)

How it Happened
Rhode Island beat VCU 5-4 in the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals on Friday afternoon at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va. With the win, Rhode Island has secured a spot in the A-10 Championship final for the second straight season. 

Trailing 3-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Rhode Island launched two home runs in the frame to take the lead over VCU. Jack Hopko led off the inning with a solo shot to deep right center to tie the game at 3-3. Later in the inning, with Ryan King on second base, Danny Leikus hit a go-ahead, two-run home run to give Rhode Island a 5-3 advantage. 

VCU threatened in the top of the ninth. A lead off double from center fielder Michael Petite brought the tying run to the plate in each of the next three VCU plate appearances. Despite Petite scoring on two wild pitches, Joe Sabbath then retired the next three batters to ice the game for Rhode Island.

VCU had jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the beginning of the game after scoring twice in the top of the third inning. Rhode Island responded an inning later with a two-run innings of its own. After Reece Moroney singled to start the inning, Hopko doubled down the right field line bringing Moroney around to score. Then, two batters later, Leikus singled home Hopko on a base hit to left center field to tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the sixth, VCU's Nate Kirkpatrick hit a solo home run to give his squad a 3-2 lead. In the next half inning, Rhode Island responded with its two home runs to take the lead setting up the eventual win.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island's seven hits came from four different players.
• Reece Moroney had two singles and a run scored. Moroney now has 86 hits this season, one shy of Tom Coulombe's program record 87 hits for most by a Ram in a single season in program history. 
• Jack Hopko had a double and a home run with two runs scored and two RBI. He is now one home run shy of Anthony DePino's 20 home runs in 2025 for most by a Ram in a single season in program history. 
• Danny Leiku had a single and a home run with three RBI and a run scored. 
• Evan Maloney was the Rams' starter. He threw the first 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits while striking out five. 
• Joe Sabbath earned his fourth win of the season after throwing the final 3.2 innings allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. 

Up Next
Rhode Island's opponent in tomorrow's A-10 Championship final is to be determined based on the outcomes of tonight's remaining games. The game is slated to begin at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, May 23 on ESPN+. Check GoRhody.com for more information on Rhode Island's opponent later this evening.