URI Baseball Beats Dayton Sunday, Completes Weekend Series Sweep

Ken Bell

University of Rhode Island Press Release

Rhode Island Lineup
Hess (2B), Figueroa (3B), Powell (CF), Olmo (RF), McManus (1B), Moyers (DH), Livingston (C), Corin (LF), O’Neil (SS), Wessel ?

Dayton Lineup 
Ryan (SS), Echols (LF), Doring (CF), Heusman (DH), Prine (2B), Sustersic (RF), Weybright (1B), Dineen (3B), Montoya (3B), Cline (P)

How it Happened
Dayton (16-32, 5-13) took a 1-0 lead after back-to-back doubles in the top of the first, but a run by Chris Hess evened the score in the bottom of the frame. 

Rhode Island (22-22, 13-5) pulled ahead in the second, scoring a pair of unearned runs to take a 3-1 lead. A two-out error by UD’s Nick Ryan first allowed Connor Foreman to score, before Matt O’Neil crossed the plate on Hess’ third triple of the season.

The Flyers made it a one-run game in the top of the fifth, however a seventh-inning single by Jordan Powell drove in both Hess and Martin Figueroa to give the Rams some breathing room at 5-2.

Dayton loaded the bases twice in the top of the eighth, but only managed to push across one run as Rhody held on for the 5-3 win.

Inside the Box Score

  • The Sunday afternoon victory gave the Rams their second Atlantic 10 sweep of the season, as they improve to 13-5 in conference play and remain in first place in the league standings.
  • The win also improved Rhody to 22-22 overall, marking the first time this season the Rams reach .500.
  • Redshirt sophomore Chris Hess led Rhode Island, both in the field and at the plate. Defensively, the second baseman set a new program record with 11 assists while also adding three putouts, including the final one of the game. 
  • Offensively, Hess was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. He was a home run shy of the cycle. 
  • With nine career triples, Hess currently ranks fifth on URI’s all-time list.
  • Sophomore Jordan Powell recorded two RBI in the win while senior Ryan Olmo singled and drove in a run.
  • Junior Martin Figueroa and senior Connor Foreman each crossed the plate once for the Rams.
  • Redshirt junior Ben Wessel earned the win on the mound, allowing just five hits and two runs over seven innings. He also matched his career high with seven strikeouts, including three straight with bases loaded in the top of the third.
  • Redshirt sophomore Tyler Barss picked up a six-out save, giving up one run on two hits. He loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth, but escaped the jam with just one run against.
  • With 10 saves on the season, Barss is just the third player in program history to reach double figures in a season, and the first to do so since Mike Bradstreet recorded 10 in 2012.

Up Next
The Rams return to action on Friday afternoon when they open a three-game conference series against the Minutemen. First pitch at The Beck is set for 3 p.m.

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