BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University baseball team scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win against #18 Eastern Connecticut State University on Thursday afternoon, 12-11, on Paolino Field.
Nolan Niziol (Sparta, N.J.) started on the mound for the Hawks. In 3.1 innings, Niziol allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks. James Nichols (Bridgewater, Mass.) followed in relief, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks. The bullpen tightened up in the later innings, with Matt Hynes (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Brett Lauterbach (Fairfield, Conn.), and MarkAnthony Glickman (Newbury, Mass.) each pitching a scoreless inning.
London Camelo's (Bristol, R.I.) phenomenal offensive night helped the Hawks pull off their second ranked win of the season. Camelo went 5-6 at the plate in the game with 4 RBIs, two of which came on his game-tying single in the ninth. Aidan Hawley (Natick, Mass.) went 4-6 with a triple, and Jack Morin (North Andover, Mass.) went 3-6 with a double and two RBIs.
ECSU began the game's scoring in the top of the first, putting one run on the board. The Hawks answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by Morin, Camelo, and Dennis Folan (Medfield, Mass.) brought in three runs, and a bases loaded walk by Ty Cali (Taunton, Mass.) brought another run in for the Hawks.
In the fourth inning, ECSU's offense had a seven-run outburst, putting them ahead 8-4. Roger Williams was able to add two runs in the bottom of the inning, with RBI singles by Morin and Folan. The Warriors struck again in the fifth inning on a three-run home run, extending their lead to five runs.
The Roger Williams rally began in the sixth inning. Nick Sheehan put the ball in play with the bases loaded, and the ECSU shortstop made an error that allowed two runs to score. The Hawks added another in the seventh on a Camelo RBI single.
Heading into the bottom of the ninth, RWU was trailing 11-9. The Hawks' first three batters all reached base two singles and a HBP, setting up Camelo with the bases loaded. Not feeling the pressure, Camelo ripped a single through the right side of the infield, bringing in two runs to score and tie the game.
The next batter, Folan, was intentionally walked to load the bases once again and bring Rory Lynch (Easton, Conn.) to the plate. With a full count, Lynch laid off of ball four to draw a walk and score the game winning run.
Roger Williams (22-6-1, 8-2 CCC) will host Nichols for a CCC doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 27.
