Men's Tennis Edged by RIC, 5-4

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Sophomore Alan Esposito (Clinton, Conn.) won the deciding singles match as the Rhode Island College men's tennis team notched its first win of the 2017 campaign with a thrilling 5-4 victory against Bridgewater State University in a Little East Conference contest played at the RIC Courts on Monday afternoon.

Bridgewater State (0-2, 0-1 LEC) took the lead after winning two of the three doubles matches to grab a 2-1 advantage.

BSU seniors Matt McGee (Warren, R.I.) and Chris Jastrab (Chicago, Ill.) posted an 8-6 win at the No. 1 doubles spot over RIC (1-4, 1-0 LEC) freshman William Tavares (Kingston, R.I.) and junior Lee Tiberi (Smithfield, R.I.).

The visiting Bears took another point at third doubles with a 9-7 win by senior Justin Haley (South Yarmouth, Mass.) and sophomore Alexander Belinsky (Norton, Mass.) over RIC sophomore Matthew Gambardella (West Warwick, R.I.) and Esposito.

RIC salvaged a point at No. 2 doubles when the Anchormen's duo of senior Cory Duquette (Warwick, R.I.) and sophomore Chandler Scott (Ashaway, R.I.) notched an 8-4 victory.

In singles action, Duquette posted a 6-1, 6-4 win at the No. 4 spot for his second win of the day. Tiberi recorded a 6-3, 6-3 victory at third singles with Gambardella notching a 6-2, 6-0 win at the fifth flight.

Bridgewater State picked up a win at No. 1 singles as McGee notched a 6-1, 6-2 win over Tavares, while Jastrab posted a 6-2, 6-0 victory at the second singles spot against Scott to knot the match at 4-4.

Esposito then clinched the contest for RIC as he battled back from a set down to record a thrilling 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 win at the sixth flight to give the Anchormen their first win on the season.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host MCLA on Thursday afternoon at 3:30. Bridgewater State heads to Suffolk University tomorrow evening for a seven o'clock match with the Rams.