Providence, R.I.-Junior designated hitter Matt Foley (Seekonk, MA) drove in six runs, while hitting for the cycle, to lead the Rhode Island College baseball team to a decisive, 11-6, victory over Brandeis at Anchorman Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Anchormen (8-4) got the scoring started early, by plating three runs in the home half of the first. Junior shortstop Ryan O'Dell (Lincoln, RI) reached first on what should have been a routine double play to end the inning. O'Dell and freshman center fielder Brad Douglas (Wakefield, RI) moved to second and third, respectively, following a balk. Foley would drive in the runs with a triple, then scored on a wild pitch to give RIC the 3-0 lead after one.
The Anchormen scored two more in the bottom of the second to take a 5-0 advantage. The Judges struck in the top of the third when senior second base Brian Allen (Salem, NH) hit a solo homer to put Brandeis on the board. RIC responded by scoring two runs in both the bottom of the third and the home half of the fifth to take the commanding, 9-1, advantage after five.
Brandeis tried to mount a late rally, blasting solo homers in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings, but the Anchormen wouldn't be denied, as key pitching from the bullpen shut the door on a comeback.
The Anchormen scored 11 runs on 12 hits with Foley's cycle leading the way. After his first inning triple, Foley doubled in the third, singled in the fifth and then homered in the seventh.
The Anchormen pitching staff was solid, holding Brandeis to six runs on its 11 hits. Freshman righty Dan Greaves (Warwick, RI) picked up the win (1-0), tossing two innings of four-hit ball, while fanning four batters.
Allen, freshman shortstop Nick Falkson (Dedham, MA), junior catcher Connor Doyle (Avon, CT) and sophomore left fielder Ryan Tettemer (Westfield, MA) all notched home runs for the Judges, while junior righty Sam Miller (Sudbury, MA) picked up the loss. He went 2.2 innings and gave up seven runs, four of which were earned.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will open Little East Conference play with a doubleheader at home against Keene State on Friday, April 3 (noon).