BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Baseball team earned its first home win of the season in a doubleheader split with Gordon College, falling in the first game 6-10 then coming back to win 1-0 in the second.
The Hawks began the opener with four runs in the bottom of the first, getting a pair of two-RBI hits from Tony Trafecanty (Franklin, Mass.) and Trevor Manzi (Beverly, Mass.). Gordon would put its first run on the board in the following inning, with Stephen Kefalas (Wenham, Mass.) scoring on a sacrifice fly by Ben Davidson (Sterling, Mass.).
The Fighting Scots added two more runs in the top of the third to pull within one, yet the Hawks' Matt Swensen (Charlton, Mass.) came through with a two-RBI single to bring the lead back to three.
Gordon continued to chip away at the deficit, scoring two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to tie the game at six. Andrew Zgrablich (Doylestown, Pa.) came through with the big blow in the sixth with a two-run homerun that put Gordon up 8-6. Kefalas followed two batters later with a two-run shot of his own to double the Scot lead. The four-run advantage would hold up as Gordon picked up the win.
Eric Wolak (Trumbull, Conn.) earned the victory, going the distance while allowing six runs and striking out seven. Zgrablich and Kefalas each finished the game with three hits and four RBI.
Chris Anderson (Westerly, R.I.) took the loss in relief of Josh Orosz (Fairfield, Conn.), who allowed six runs (four earned) in four innings. Trafecanty, Swensen, and Manzi each contributed a hit and two RBI.
A pitcher's duel defined the second game, with Kefalas and Trafecanty holding their respective opponents scoreless over the first six innings.
The Hawks had a great opportunity to score in the fourth inning, as Swensen sent a shot to deep center field with runners at first and second with two outs. Yet Zgrablich made a great diving stab over his shoulder to keep the Hawks off the scoreboard and end the potential rally.
RWU ended the scoring drought in the bottom of the seventh when John Oppenhimer (Westport, Conn.) led off the inning with a single up the middle and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tim Georgen (Bristol, Conn.). Oppenhimer would come in from second and score the game-winning run on the next at-bat on a hot shot past the first baseman to give the Hawks the win.
Trafecanty tossed the complete game shutout, scattering four hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts. Oppenhimer finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with the winning run.
Kefalas was the hard-luck loser for Gordon, allowing one run in 6.1 innings, giving up six hits with six strikeouts. Wolak and Kefalas had the Scots' only hits of the game, as each batter went 2-for-3.
Roger Williams (3-16, 2-8 TCCC) will be back in action tomorrow in a non-conference game against Suffolk University, while Gordon (7-12, 2-8 TCCC) plays Nichols College Saturday in a noon doubleheader.
