Providence, R.I.-Rhode Island College freshman second baseman Shaun Vigeant (Coventry, RI) went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI as the RIC baseball team dropped a 16-10 non-conference tilt against Framingham State played at Anchorman Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Rams (20-14) struck for two runs in the top of the first on a two-run double to center field by senior first baseman John Gill (Hudson, MA). The Anchormen (18-9) responded in the bottom half of the frame, plating five runs on two hits.
Following the two leadoff batters getting on base after being hit, there were back-to-back walks issued to take to drive in a run. Freshman first baseman Frank Pettinato (Cranston, RI) recorded a two-run single and a single by junior shortstop Gian Abbruzzese (North Providence, RI) drove in the last two runs of the frame.
The two teams traded runs in the second inning to make the score 6-3 after two frames. The Rams cut the deficit down to one in the third with a pair of RBI singles before taking control of the contest in the fourth inning. With a three runs already scored in the inning, senior designated hitter Kevin Driscoll (Chelmsford, MA) blasted a two-out, two-run homer to give the visitors a 10-6 advantage through four innings.
An RBI single in the fifth made the score 11-5 FSU. Driscoll struck again in the top of the sixth when he singled and was driven in on a double. The Anchormen bounced back in the bottom of the frame with Vigeant driving in the first of four runs in the inning on a single through the right side. He would later score on a single to left field by senior right fielder Pat Rogers (Waterford, CT).
The Rams would tack on two runs on in both the seventh and ninth innings, while holding the Anchormen scoreless over the final third of the game to take the convincing, 16-10, victory.
Vigeant went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, while Rogers, Pettinato and Abbruzzese each drove in a pair of runs for the Anchormen. Gill paced the Rams, going 5-for-6 with five RBI and three runs scored.
Rhode Island College freshman pitcher Dan Greaves (Warwick, RI) went 3.2 innings, allowing eight runs on 11 hits, while striking out five in the loss (2-1). FSU freshman pitcher Kevin Connelly (Bolton, MA) went 6.0 innings, allowing 10 runs, on eight hits with four strikeouts in the victory (4-1).
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play with a doubleheader against Western Connecticut on Saturday, April 25 (noon).