URI Rams Roll in A-10 Baseball Tournament Opener

May 27, 2016 12:28 am

URI news release…

Rhode Island’s offense broke the game open late and starter Tyler Wilson allowed no earned runs over six innings to lead top-seeded Rhode Island to a 10-1 victory over No. 5 Fordham at the Atlantic 10 Championship Thursday.

The Rams (28-25) led for most of the game, though Rhody truly broke the game open with five runs in the eighth inning. Mike Corin hit a three-run home run and Martin Figueroaadded a two-run shot as the Rams put the game away with the outburst. Rhode Island advanced to face No. 6 Davidson in the winner’s bracket final of the tournament.

Fordham (29-28) got on the board with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Joseph Runco doubled with one out and stole third after the second out of the inning. He came in to score when Donadio reached on an error.

The lead was short lived, as Rhody came right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Chris Hess led off with a single, and Figueroa followed with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt byJordan Powell moved both runners up, Olmo singled through the right side to drive in Hess and Figueroa to put the Rams ahead 2-1.

Olmo helped increase the lead in the bottom of the third when he delivered an RBI single to drive in Figueroa for the second time. Powell later scored on a wild pitch to make it a 4-1 Ram lead after three innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Olmo drew a leadoff walk and moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt from Brett McManus. With two outs, Chase Livingston delivered a single to drive in Olmo with an insurance run that put the Rams up, 5-1.

Rhode Island’s bullpen closed the game out as Nick Johnson and Dom Grillo combined to throw three scoreless innings.

Inside the Box Score

Sophomore Tyler Wilson (12-1) allowed no earned runs on two hits over six innings for the Rams. After getting nicked for an unearned run and two hits in the top of the first, Wilson did not allow a hit over his last five innings of work.
Wilson improved to 9-0 against Atlantic 10 competition and had four strikeouts. He now has 111 strikeouts on the season.
Senior Ryan Olmo singled twice, walked, scored one run and drove in three runs. It was his second game this season with at least three RBI, as he had a season-high four runs driven in at Winthrop on March 5.
Redshirt junior Mike Corin had a three-run home run to break the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Senior Chase Livingston had an RBI single.
Redshirt sophomore Chris Hess singled twice, walked twice and scored two runs. Hess has now scored 52 runs through 53 games.
Junior Martin Figueroa drilled a two-run home run, singled, walked, was hit by a pitch and scored three runs.
Sophomore Jordan Powell had a sacrifice bunt and scored one run.
Freshman Brett McManus walked and scored one run.
Senior Connor Foreman had a pinch-hit ground-rule double and scored once.
Sophomore Nick Johnson pitched two scoreless inning of relief, allowing two singles while striking out one. He has now pitched 9.2 innings in A-10 action with a 0.00 ERA.
Sophomore Dom Grillo retired all three batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning.
This was the second straight year Rhode Island has opened the A-10 tournament with a victory over Fordham. Rhody beat Fordham 7-3 at the championship a year ago.

Up Next
Rhode Island advances to face No. 6 Davidson in the winner’s bracket final of the Atlantic 10 Championship Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. The game will be streamed free of charge on the Atlantic 10 Network.