MEDFORD, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Baseball team dropped a non-conference matchup to Tufts, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Sol Gittleman Park.
Tufts wasted no time in the first inning, as James Henshon knocked a leadoff double and a Roger Williams error moved Henshon to third. Jack Kamin hit an RBI groundout to score Henshon and take a 1-0 lead. The Jumbos added single runs in the third and fourth innings to extend their advantage to 3-0, putting early pressure on the Hawks' pitching staff.
Roger Williams broke through in the fifth inning when Nick Dimaso (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) lifted a sacrifice fly to score Jack Tubman (Bellingham, Mass.), cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, Tufts responded immediately in the bottom half, as Tate Bannish launched a two-run home run to push the lead to 5-1.
The Hawks mounted a late push in the seventh inning. Tubman, Sam Arcieri (Westwood, N.J.) and Luke Miele (Wellesley, Mass.) each reached base to set the table before Noah Hester (Old Saybrook, Conn.) delivered a clutch two-run single to center field, bringing Roger Williams within two at 5-3. The rally threatened to continue, but Tufts was able to limit further damage and escape the inning.
Roger Williams continued to apply pressure down the stretch, putting a runner on in the ninth, but Tufts closed the door to secure the win.
Offensively, Arcieri led the Hawks with two hits and a run scored, while Hester finished with two hits and two RBI. Tubman also added a hit and scored twice.
On the mound, Tyler DiCecco (Rumford, R.I.) took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings. The bullpen of Owen Scarice (Madison, Conn.), Danny Powers (Mansfield, Mass.), and Matt Seminara (Succasunna, N.J.) combined to hold Tufts to two runs over the final four innings.
Roger Williams totaled eight hits in the contest, while Tufts recorded ten, with Tate Bannish leading the Jumbos with three hits and three RBI.
Roger Williams (13-16, 6-7 CNE) will look to bounce back as they return to action on Thursday, Apr. 23 as they host Coast Guard in a non-conference game.
