BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Baseball team split their Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader with Nichols on Monday afternoon. The Hawks won the first game 6-2 in 7 innings, while the Bison took game two 12-3 in a full nine innings.
Game One – RWU 6, Nichols 2
The Hawks got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Nick Dimaso (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) lifted a sacrifice fly to score Noah Hester (Old Saybrook, Conn.) for a 1-0 lead. RWU added to its advantage in the bottom of the third, as Hester delivered an RBI single and Braden Ventura (Swansea, Mass.) followed with an RBI double to make it 3-0.
Nichols responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, Roger Williams answered in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run frame. A throwing error brought in one run, a walk to Hester forced in another after a wild pitch, and Ventura added an RBI on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 6-2.
That was more than enough for the RWU pitching staff. Louie Mosca (Old Tappan, N.J.) tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five to secure the win.
At the plate, Hester led the way with two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Ventura added two hits and two RBI. Sam Arcieri (Westwood, N.J.) also scored twice as part of the Hawks' balanced offensive effort.
Roger Williams finished with five hits, while Nichols recorded six in the loss.
Game Two – Nichols 12, RWU 3
The Bison jumped out early, scoring once in the first and adding another in the second before breaking the game open with a five-run third inning to take a 7-0 lead. The third inning rally was fueled by key hits from Andrew Rocca and Charles Macelhiney, along with defensive miscues by RWU.
Roger Williams responded in the bottom of the third when Luke Miele (Wellesley, Mass.) launched a three-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 7-3. However, that would be as close as the Hawks would get.
Nichols answered immediately in the fourth with a three-run home run from Jack Raymond to extend the lead to 10-3, and added two more runs in the top of the eighth to seal the victory.
On the mound for Nichols, Aidan Whitten tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Offensively, Miele led RWU with two hits and three RBI, while Griffin Ruffner (Exeter, N.H.) added two hits. On the mound for the Hawks, Casey DeLorenzo (East Greenwich, R.I.) took the loss with Daniel McDonnell (Southampton, N.Y.) and Owen Scarice (Madison, Conn.) providing relief.
Nichols totaled 13 hits in the win, while Roger Williams finished with five.
Roger Williams (7-8, 1-2 CNE) will head to Curry on Tuesday, Mar. 31 for a 3:30pm start before hosting UMass Boston on Thursday, Apr. 2. Nichols (8-7, 2-1 CNE) will travel to WNE on Tuesday, Mar. 31 before heading to UMass Boston on Wednesday, Apr. 1.
