BRISTOL, R.I.- The Roger Williams University Baseball team dropped its second-round game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference double-elimination playoffs, Wednesday, at Western New England College, 4-3
Second-seeded Western New England College scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a rare wild pitch with a batter being intentionally walked.
Western New England College led 3-2 lead going into the ninth before the Hawks tied the contest with an unearned run. Sophomore left fielder Zach Porter (Middleboro, MA) reached on an error leading off the inning and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Eric Cabral (Dorchester, MA). With one out, Cabral scored on a long double to center by senior third baseman Kevin Simpson (Londonderry, NH) who finished with three hits and a run scored.
In the WNEC ninth, junior right fielder Steve Kearney (Glastonbury, CT) received credit for a triple when he hit a sinking liner that skipped by senior center fielder Jamie Dahill (South Boston, MA) who missed making the diving shoestring catch.
Senior center fielder Chris Newell (Wallingford, CT) was the next batter and RWU senior relief pitcher James Lydon (Calverton, NY) uncorked a wild pitch that bounced off the glove of sophomore catcher Stephen McKernan (Grafton, MA).
WNEC took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBI singles by Kearney (3-4, 2 runs scored) and junior first baseman Joe Griglun (Southington, CT).
Griglun plated the third run in the third on a RBI single by freshman-designated player Matt Fleishman (East Northport, NY).
The Hawks (17-18-1) scored twice in the fifth on a two-run double by junior shortstop Grant Bolin (Simsbury, MA) who also singled in the game.
Senior Jason Pizzoferrato (Windsor, CT) made his first relief appearance in two years for the Golden Bears and allowed just two hits in two innings. He raised his record to 5-3 and moved into second place on the school's all-time win list with 26 (just four shy of the school record).
The Hawks must win-out the rest of the tournament to gain the TCCC title beginning with their next game, Friday, against No. 7 Nichols College. Nichols advanced via a 5-4 win today over No. 6 Wentworth. As the No. 3 seed, RWU will host Friday's game beginning at 3 p.m.
