Providence, R.I.-Junior right fielder Joe Yankee (Lincoln, RI) went 2-for-4 with a run scored, four RBI, one double and a homer as Rhode Island College defeated Johnson & Wales, 7-5, at Anchorman Field on Wednesday afternoon.
RIC (12-5) sophomore starter Jake Murray (Middletown, RI) picked up the win (1-1), allowing just two unearned runs on four hits, to go along with four strikeouts in five innings of work.
The Anchormen jumped out to 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Junior shortstop Ryan O'Dell (Lincoln, RI) came up with runners on first and second with no outs and promptly smacked an RBI double. Senior third baseman Tyler Santaniello (Cumberland, RI) and junior catcher Matt Foley (Seekonk, MA) each brought in one with an RBI groundout.
The hosts tacked on three more in the second when Yankee ripped a two-out, three-run homer to stake the Anchormen to a 6-0 lead.
A pair of RIC errors in the third helped the Wildcats (8-9) score twice. Sophomore third baseman Carlos Sanabria (Pawtucket, RI) and junior left fielder Andrew Hunton (Monroe, NY) notched RBI singles in the frame to make it, 6-2.
Santaniello made it, 7-2, with a one-out, bases loaded RBI single in the fourth. JWU limited the damage by getting a ground ball double play to get out of the inning.
Johnson and Wales got one run back in the eighth by scoring on an error, before threatening in the ninth.
With two down and runners on second and third in the Wildcats last at-bat, Sanabria came through with a two-run single to pull the visitors within a pair, 7-5. With two aboard, RIC senior pitcher Joe Brooks (Pawtucket, RI) induced a groundout to secure the win.
O'Dell also had a good day for the hosts, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, an RBI and a double. Freshman center fielder Brad Douglas (Wakefield, RI) scored three times.
Sanabria went 3-for-5 with a run scored, three RBI and a double for the visitors. Sophomore pitcher Brandon Rainville (Cumberland, RI) took the loss (1-1), giving up seven runs on seven hits to go along with nine walks.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action at Southern Maine on Saturday, April 11 (noon).