BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Baseball team opened the 2008 ECAC Division III New England Baseball Championship with a 7-1 win Saturday afternoon over Brandeis University.

 

John O'Brion (Portland, Maine) gave Brandeis a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI double to center field, scoring Tony Deshler (Pepperell, Mass.). The Hawks responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally, started by a double by Jamie Dahill (South Boston, Mass.). Kevin Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) knocked in Dahill with an RBI single to tie the game at one apiece. Two batters later, Zach Porter (Middleboro, Mass.) gave the Hawks a 4-1 lead with a three-run homer to left field.

 

That three run cushion would be more than enough for Mike Malcolm (Brockton, Mass.). After surrendering a run on two hits in the opening frame, Malcolm held the Judges to only two hits over the next seven innings. Malcolm tossed eight innings of one-run ball, allowing two walks while striking out five.

 

The Hawks added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth, two of which came off the bat of Porter.

 

Porter ended the game 2-for-3 with a run scored and tied a season high with five RBI. Simpson, Tony Verrochi (Norwood, Mass.), and Alex Perry (Glastonbury, Conn.) each added two hits.

 

Deshler had three of the Judges' four hits in the game, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. O'Brion was 1-for-4 with the sole RBI for Brandeis.

 

Brandeis ends the season with a 19-19 overall record. Roger Williams (33-12) advances to the ECAC Championship game, where the team will take on Massachusetts Maritime Academy, who defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology 6-4 in the other semifinal game. The championship game is scheduled for noon on Sunday.