BRISTOL, R.I. (AP) — #11 Salve Regina University exploded for 10 runs over the first three innings and never looked back in a 12–1 victory over Roger Williams University on Tuesday afternoon at Paolino Field.
Salve Regina (26–7) capitalized on a hot start at the plate and a strong performance from their pitching staff, which carried a no-hitter into the ninth, while the Hawks struggled to generate offense, managing just two hits on the day.
Center fielder Brandon Grover led the charge for Salve Regina, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Christian Homa added a 3-for-5 day with two RBIs, and Hunter Yaworski contributed two hits and three runs batted in. Evan O'Rourke also delivered a two-hit, two-RBI performance, while third baseman Wil McCarthy and right fielder Shane Williams notched two hits apiece.
On the mound, Joe DeRienzo (4–1) earned the win in relief, tossing four hitless innings and striking out four. Starter Nick Romanowsk combined with relievers Luis Ortiz and Andrew Wertz to limit the Hawks to two hits and one unearned run, striking out eight along the way.
Roger Williams was stymied for most of the game and didn't record a hit until the ninth inning. The Hawks also committed three errors in the field. Rory Lynch finally broke up the no-hit bid with a single, and Jack Tubman followed with a double in the ninth. Their lone run came unearned on a throwing error, helping the Hawks avoid a shutout.
Salve Regina opened the scoring in the top of the first. Homa walked and moved to second on a single by O'Rourke. Yaworski then singled to right to bring home Homa, and McCarthy followed with a double to drive in O'Rourke. Williams grounded out to shortstop to plate Yaworski, and Shea Donovan capped the four-run frame with a single that scored McCarthy.
The Seahawks continued to add runs in the second, with Grady Schopps leading off with a single, followed by a bunt single from Grover. Homa added an RBI single up the middle to score Schopps, and O'Rourke later reached on a fielder's choice that brought Grover across the plate to make it 6–0.
In the third inning, Salve Regina added another four runs, as Williams doubled and Donovan walked, setting up a bunt single by Tyler Petrosino to load the bases. Schopps reached on a fielder's choice, and two runs scored on a throwing error. Homa's second RBI single of the game brought in another run, and after a passed ball moved him into scoring position, Yaworski drove in both Homa and O'Rourke with a two-run single. By the end of the inning, Salve Regina led 11–0.
The Seahawks added one more run in the fifth when Schopps was hit by a pitch and scored on a double to left center by Grover. O'Rourke's second RBI single of the game followed, making it 12–0.
The Hawks finally got on the board in the bottom of the ninth. Lynch singled to right and Tubman doubled to right-center. With two runners in scoring position, Chris Balzano reached on a throwing error that allowed Lynch to score. Tubman was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play, and the game ended shortly after with Salve Regina closing out the 12–1 victory.
Roger Williams (12-20, 5-9 CNE) will host UMass Dartmouth on Thursday, May 1 at 3:30 pm for Senior Day before rounding out the regular season with a pair of key Conference of New England (CNE) matchups against Western New England.
