Providence, RI—Rhode Island College sophomore center fielder B.J. Doyon (Douglas, MA) went 3-for-5 from the plate, including belting a ninth inning solo home run, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an eight-run deficit as the Anchormen dropped an 8-4 decision to visiting Bridgewater State College this afternoon in collegiate baseball action at Anchorman Field. The hosts overall record dips to 12-9, while the visitors improve to 12-7.

Freshman right-hander Ben Altman (East Taunton, MA) pitched well once again for the Bears as he earned his third straight win. Altman allowed just one run on six hits while striking out five as lowered his team-leading earned run average to 1.66.

Rhode Island College squandered a strong starting pitching effort from senior Wade Briggs
(Woonsocket, RI) as Bridgewater State was able to capitalize on three Anchormen defensive errors to jump out to an early advantage. Briggs hurled six innings allowing just two earned runs on 11 hits, while striking out four. Classmate Caleb Barber (Mystic, CT) tossed the latter three frames in relief, surrendering just one hit and two walks, while also logging a strikeout.

Bridgewater State cracked the scoring column in the top of the third inning, when freshman third basemen Mark Claffey (Bellingham, MA) registered a two-out, two RBI single. The Bears continued their two-out trouble the following inning, plating four runs. Sophomore catcher Kelly LaDow (East Falmouth, MA) scored on a passed ball and a throwing error, while senior shortstop Jay Lamoureux (Walpole, MA) and sophomore right fielder Brad Koneski (North Dighton, MA) each added RBI singles to balloon the visitors advantage to 6-0.

The Bears increased their lead to 8-0 in the sixth as they took advantage of a pair of RIC miscues. Sophomore first baseman David Kiloski (Lowell, MA) reached on a throwing error and, one out later, moved to third on a ground rule double by Lamoureux. After a flyout, Koneski reached on an infield single scoring Kiloski from third. Lamoureux would come around to score on the play via a throwing error.

Lamoureux finished the day going 3-for-4 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Koneski and Claffey each had two hits while also driving in 2 runs apiece.

Facing an eight-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning, Rhode Island College finally was able to get to Altman. With runners on first and third and one-out, sophomore shortstop Josh Cardoso (Dartmouth, MA) grounded into a fielder’s choice that plated Doyon for the Anchormen’s first run. The hosts continued to apply the pressure in the stanza, loading the bases with two out. Altman was able to get out of the jam with his fifth and final strikeout of the afternoon, leaving the bases juiced.

Rhode Island College scored single runs in the seventh and eighth to cut the deficit to 8-3. Doyon led the ninth inning off with his first home run of the campaign over the left field fence, while freshman outfielder Mike St. Germain (Seekonk, MA) followed with a single into left field and Cardoso reached on an error, chasing sophomore pitcher Connor Bishop (Arlington, MA). The Bears’ junior closer Brian Schilling (Weymouth, MA) extinguished the threat by retiring the next two hitters in order to notch his fourth save of the season in as many chances.

Junior third basemen Pete Olsen (North Providence, RI) and Cardoso each had a pair of hits for the Anchormen, while sophomore catcher Jordan Amorin (Swansea, MA) chipped in with an RBI double.

Rhode Island College will return to action at 12 p.m. on April 21, when the Anchormen host Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut State University.