Winter Haven, Fla.-Despite a 3-for-4 effort at the dish from sophomore catcher Matt Billington (Cumberland, RI), the Rhode Island College baseball team fell to MCLA, 13-8, on Sunday morning at the 2014 RussMatt Invitational.

Billington added a pair of RBI for Rhode Island College (2-2), while freshman right fielder Stephen Rush (Cranston, RI) came off the bench and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored in his collegiate debut. 

Sophomore first baseman Angelo St. Laurent (Cranston, RI) went 1-for-4 on the day with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored, while junior center fielder Patrick Rogers (Waterford, CT) went 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored.

Freshman second baseman Scott Linnane (North Kingstown, RI) ripped a double to left-center field in his collegiate debut, while classmate third baseman Brian Franco (Cranston, RI) added a hit in his first collegiate game as well.

Freshman right-hander Steven Perfetto (Johnston, RI) was spectacular in his 2014 debut with the Anchormen, as he conceded just two hits and three walks, while striking out four Trailblazers in 3.2 innings of relief.

Sophomore right-hander Giann Abbruzzese (North Providence, RI) was tagged with the loss (0-1) for RIC.

MCLA (2-2) did most of its damage in the fifth and sixth innings, posting six runs and five runs, respectively, in those two frames. The Trailblazers scored a single run in both the top of the second and the top of the fourth to take the early lead on Sunday. MCLA totaled 14 hits on the day.

The Anchormen, who pounded out 12 hits in the loss, rattled off a run in the fourth, four runs in the sixth, and a single run in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to close out the game.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College squares off against Daniel Webster on Monday, March 10 (9:30 a.m.).