RWU pushes through in extra innings 10-6 to down struggling RIC

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

(PROVIDENCE) – Roger Williams University fourth-year infielder Will Florio’s hit scooted by Rhode Island College fifth-year shortstop Izaiah Rivera to allow the go-ahead runs in a four-run eleventh inning to secure a 10-6 victory over the Anchormen Thursday at Pontarelli Field.

RIC rallied back following a two-run homer in the second inning from RWU fourth-year shortstop Ethan Keeney, scoring four runs in the following inning to help build up a 6-3 lead through five innings for the Anchormen. The scoring would disappear after that, however, as the Hawks blanked the Anchormen in the final six innings to secure a comeback victory and put them at double-digit wins on the year.

Image of Pontarelli Field by Tim Yean

For RIC, fifth-year third baseman Cal Parillo recorded a hit in four plate appearances and drove in two, being walked twice. Third-year center fielder Lucas McElroy was 2-4 with an RBI while also recording a stolen base. RWU’s Keeney and senior third baseman Dennis Folan each hit a home run, with Folan also walking twice.

First-year reliever Aidan Cherniawski was handed the loss for the Anchormen, allowing two earned runs in the eleventh inning and walking two. The Hawks’ Ryan Camp was given the victory, shutting down the Anchormen in the closing innings of action. The third-year pitcher struck out four in two and a third innings of work, including the final three batters in the eleventh inning to shut the game down.

Key Moments

One of the highlights for the Anchormen came in the sixth inning as first-year pitcher Jaden Lovell struck out first-year designated hitter Sam Arcieri with the RWU bases loaded to preserve RIC’s three-run lead heading into the seventh.

The preservation would be brief. Third-year Cameron Foster came on to the mound in the seventh inning to replace Lovell. RWU batters, fourth-year Sam Weigel and third-year Braden Ventura, would get on base through a walk and a single respectively. Fourth-year third baseman Dennis Folan would slam a pitch to left-center field to tie the game at six on a three-run shot.

Given a chance for the walk-off victory in the ninth, Rhode Island College had the bases loaded with fifth-year left fielder Justin Wardwell coming up to the plate. Wardwell would line out to RWU shortstop Keeney, who made the hopping grab to strand the runners and force extra innings.

Key Stat

Since their return from their opening nine-game stretch at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Anchormen are a stinging 1-12 in their matchups back home in New England. Alongside their 10-3 defeat vs Johnson & Wales at home, RIC’s record against in-state opposition now falls to 0-2. They have yet to win at home.

Up Next

The Anchormen will head up to Nichols College Friday, April 11th in search for their second win back in New England in a 3 p.m, affair. They’ll be back at Pontarelli Field on Tuesday in a Little East Conference matchup against the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth beginning at 3:30 p.m.

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