Rhode Island College Holds Off Baseball for 11-9 Win
Providence, RI—Framingham State scored four runs in the eighth, but Rhode Island College was able to hang on for an 11-9 win in non-conference baseball action at Anchorman Field this afternoon.
The cold and rainy weather, compounded by a swirling wind, made for tough playing conditions for the fielders and pitchers. The two teams combined for 26 hits and seven errors in a two and a half hour contest.
RIC snapped a six-game losing streak to raise its record to 18-13. The loss ended Framingham State’s seven-game win streak as the Rams drop to 21-15.
Junior catcher Justin Corso (Cranston, RI), junior designated hitter/pitcher Gary Levesque (East Providence, RI) and sophomore third baseman J.P. Stone (Narragansett, RI) each had two hits for the Anchormen, while sophomore shortstop Kyle Allaire (Uxbridge, MA) knocked in a team-high three runs.
For the Rams, junior first baseman Danny Chaisson (Watertown, MA) went 4-for-5 with a home run (4), a run scored, a stolen base and three RBI.
Framingham State freshman starter Trevor Behrendt (Haverhill, MA) thought he was going to get out of the first inning by inducing a taylor-made double play grounder, but an error put runners on first and second with one down. Levesque brought in a run with a deep double off the right center field wall. Senior first baseman Tim Schabowski (Pascoag, RI) followed with an RBI single to give the hosts an early, 2-0, advantage.
The Rams tagged RIC junior starter Chris Day (North Kingstown, RI) for three straight hits to start the second. Junior catcher Sean Callahan (Watertown, MA) singled to shortstop and classmate outfielder Steve Tramontozzi (Watertown, MA) doubled to right to put runners on second and third. Chaisson went the opposite way with a three-run homer (4) to give FSC the lead, 3-2, before an out was recorded.
RIC regained the lead in the third, capitalizing on three Ram errors. Levesque doubled to almost the exact spot as his first hit and Schabowski worked a walk to start the frame. Junior left fielder Ronnie Bracchi (Wappinger Falls, NY) tripled to the wall in straightaway center to bring in both baserunners. Freshman second baseman Greg Palmer (East Greenwich, RI) and Allaire each were credited with an RBI on fielder’s choice grounders and another run came home on a throwing error as the hosts went on top, 7-3.
Framingham State pulled within two runs, 7-5, in the fourth as freshman left fielder Will Crofton (Hopkinton, MA) contributed an RBI single and another run scored on a passed ball.
Freshman reliever Anthony Raymond (North Providence, RI) came on in the fifth and was helped by two outstanding catches by Bracchi to keep the Rams from scoring.
RIC loaded the bases with one down against FSC senior reliever Stephen Marfione (Medford, MA) in the seventh and Allaire came through with a single to plate a pair. Stone went the other way with an RBI single down the right field line to make the score, 10-5, and chase Marfione from the game.
Sophomore reliever Rob Mclaughlin (Plymouth, MA) got the call, but senior center fielder Jared Rossi (Johnston, RI) brought in Allaire with a sacrifice fly to right field.
RIC freshman reliever Marwing Pena (Cranston, RI) hurled two strong innings before running into trouble in the eighth. He loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a single. Head Coach Scott Virgulak brought in junior closer Matt Thadeio (West Greenwich, RI) to face junior designated hitter Corey Ketterer (Plymouth, MA). Ketterer drilled the first pitch he saw down the right field line to bring in two.
Callahan hit a grounder to second to bring in a run, but an errant throw allowed another run to cross and pull the visitors within two, 11-9. After a Chaisson single put runners at the corners, Levesque came on to end the threat with a key strikeout.
Despite giving up two hits in the ninth, Levesque got a double play and a ground out to pick up his first collegiate save (1).
Pena (1-0) earned his first collegiate win, while Behrendt suffered the loss (0-1).
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to Babson tomorrow afternoon, while the Rams close the regular season on Saturday as they host Fitchburg State in a MASCAC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Release courtesy of RIC Sports Inofrmation.