BRISTOL, R.I. — Roger Williams University secured a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory over Suffolk in game two of their Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Paolino Field. The Hawks capitalized on a ninth-inning double by Ethan Keeney to drive in the winning run, sealing a series split with the Rams.
Roger Williams offensive racked up 15 hits, with third baseman Mike Masino going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including a key go-ahead hit in the eighth inning. Outfielder Ty Cali delivered a strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Starting pitcher Jonathan Quinn provided stability on the mound, tossing six innings while allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Reliever Matthew Donovan (2-0) earned the win despite allowing four runs over three innings of relief.
For Suffolk (6-10, 1-1 CNE), Max Iorio delivered the game's biggest hit for the Rams, a three-run triple in the ninth inning that briefly tied the game. Catcher Max Martin contributed two hits and an RBI, while starter Harry Meehan pitched six innings, surrendering three runs, one earned, on nine hits.
The contest remained tightly contested throughout, with both teams trading early blows. Suffolk took a 1-0 lead in the third on a single by Cole Hilliard, but Roger Williams responded immediately with a run in the bottom half, as Rory Lynch doubled and Will Florio brought him home with a single.
The Rams reclaimed the lead in the sixth when Chris Cimino stole second and later scored on a Martin single. However, the Hawks answered again in their half of the frame, scoring twice, once on an error and another on a double by Owen Hibbard, taking a 3-2 lead.
Suffolk tied the game at 3-3 in the eighth with a sacrifice fly by shortstop Sam Armbruster, but Roger Williams surged ahead with a three-run bottom of the inning, fueled by a two-run single from Masino and a sacrifice fly by Florio.
Down to their final three outs, the Rams rallied in the ninth. Iorio's bases-clearing triple knotted the game at 6-6, setting the stage for Roger Williams' heroics in the bottom half. Braden "Ace" Ventura led off with a single, his second hit of the day, ahead of pinch-runner Luke Miele advancing on a sacrifice bunt, and Keeney sealed the win with a double to left-center.
Roger Williams (6-8, 1-1 CNE) will play at Wentworth on Tuesday, Mar. 25 at 3:00 pm in Boston. The Hawks will then host Babson on Thursday, Mar. 27 at 3:00 pm in a non-conference contest, before playing at Nichols on Saturday, Mar. 29 for a CNE Doubleheader.
