Baseball Blasts Way to 10-4 Win over RIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Bridgewater State College used a four-run first inning to cruise to a 10-4 victory over host Rhode Island College this afternoon in non-conference collegiate baseball action at Anchorman Field. The Bears improve their record to 10-8 with the win, while the Anchormen fall to 14-5.

Bridgewater State was able to take advantage of some timely hitting in the first frame to push across four runs. Junior catcher Matt Greenberg (Norwell, MA) singled two centerfield with runners on first and second to drive in the game's first run, while sophomore left fielder Jeff Poupolo (Brockton, MA) followed suit with a sacrifice fly. Senior second baseman Brad Koneski (North Dighton, MA) lifted two-out, two-run homer (3) just barely over the left field fence to cap the four-run outburst.

Starting pitcher Dave Liffers (Norwell, MA) would make the early run support stand up, as the senior kept the hosts off-balance throughout his seven strong innings of work to earn his first win of the season (1-2). Liffers struck out eight, including six looking, while giving up four runs on seven hits.  

Rhode Island College was finally able to solve Liffers in the third and fourth innings to whittle its deficit to 4-3. Senior catcher Jordan Amorin (Swansea, MA) delivered a two-out, two-run double to center field in the third, while sophomore designated hitter Gary Levesque (East Providence, RI) led off the fourth with his third round-tripper of the campaign to deep left centerfield to bring the hosts within a run.

The Anchormen would not get any closer as the Bears responded with back-to-back home runs to right field to open the fifth frame. Senior designated hitter Kelly LaDow (East Falmouth, MA) and Greenberg provided the power for the visitors, chasing Rhode Island College starting pitcher Eric Blanchard (Warwick, RI). The Bears added a third run on a throwing error to balloon their advantage to 7-3.

The Anchormen were able to get a run back in the bottom of the seventh, but the visitors provided a pair of insurance runs in the eighth to earn their third straight victory.

Four Bridgewater State student-athletes accounted for nine of the visitors' 11 hits, led by Koneski's three. Poupolo drove in a game-high three RBI, while Greenberg and Koneski each chipped in with two.  

Levesque led Rhode Island College with a three-for-four performance at the dish, while senior center field B.J. Doyon (Douglas, MA) added two hits and an RBI for the hosts.

Blanchard suffered his first loss of the season (1-1), allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, on eight hits and a  pair of walks, while striking out four in four innings of work.