Athletic Communications Photo
Athletic Communications Photo

Six-run fourth pushes URI past Bryant, 11-6

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Rhode Island scored six runs in the fourth inning and went on to defeat the Bryant University baseball team, 11-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Conaty Park.

With the win, the Rams (10-12-1) snapped a three-game skid against the Bulldogs (8-13). Bryant has now dropped two-straight after winning six games in a row.

Held hitless over the first three innings, the Rams broke out in a big way in the fourth, scoring six runs on six hits. A walk and an infield single on a bunt opened the inning for URI and Mike Sherburne brought home the first run of the game with a double down the third base line. Matt O'Neil singled to right and Chase Livingston beat out a bunt to bring home the next two runs. A Jordan Powell single scored a fourth run and Martin Taveras capped the inning with a two-run double to right.

The Rams added another run in the fifth. A walk and a single started the inning before junior reliever Michael Marshall (Maynard, Mass.) induced a 4-6-3 double play. URI was able to score, however, as Marshall balked, bring home the runner from third.

Bryant was able to get on the board thanks to a pair of extra-base hits in the fifth. Sophomore Brandon Bingel (Peabody, Mass.) doubled with one out and came around to score as classmate Joseph Paparelli (Preston, Conn.) ripped a 2-0 pitch off the top of the right field wall for a triple.

Rhode Island quickly answered with runs in the sixth and seventh. Taveras reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch in the sixth. He then scored on a throwing error to make it 8-1 Rams. In the seventh, URI loaded the bases on two singles and a hit batter before Taveras delivered a sac fly to left. The Rams finished their scoring with two more runs in the eighth.

Junior Robby Rinn (Warwick, R.I.) doubled and scored for Bryant in the seventh. He doubled to the base of the wall in left field and scored on a ground out from classmate Daniel Palazzo (Rocky Hill, Conn.).

The Bulldogs then rallied to plate four runs in the eighth but it too little, too late. Sophomore Cole Fabio (Mahwah, N.J.) walked to open the inning and seniors Jordan Mountford (Guelph, Ont.) and John Mullen (Walpole, Mass.) followed with singles to score a run. Rinn singled to load the bases and junior AJ Zarozny (Shrewsbury, Mass.) was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Palazzo then singled to right to bring in another and a fielder's choice from Paparelli plated the final run of the inning to make it 11-6.

URI sophomore Blaise Whitman earned the win with six innings of one-run ball. He struck out seven and allowed just three hits.

Freshman Justin Snyder (Georgetown, Mass.) started for the Black and Gold and last 3.1 innings. He allowed three runs on just two hits, walked two and struck out four on the afternoon. Junior James Davitt (Wallingford, Conn.), Marshall, freshman Ryan Johnson (East Falmouth, Mass.), senior Alex Lagos (Wrentham, Mass.) and junior Robert Morgenroth (North Caldwell, N.J.) combined to finish the game for the Black and Gold.

The Bulldogs open Northeast Conference play this weekend as they travel to New Britain, Conn., for a weekend series against Central Connecticut.