Plymouth, N.H.-Senior pitcher Dylan Cummiskey (Warwick, RI) allowed just one run in eight innings of work in game one, while junior shortstop Gian Abbruzzese (North Providence, RI) notched three RBI between the two games, to lead Rhode Island College in their Little East Conference regular season finale at Plymouth State on Friday afternoon.
The Anchormen (21-11, 9-5 LEC) won game one by a score of 7-1 before Plymouth State (16-24, 4-10 LEC) won game two, 3-2.
Game one was a pitchers' duel early, with Cummiskey and Plymouth State senior righty Cody Gilchrist (Tyngsboro, MA) dominating early, combining to allow just three hits between the two teams in the first four innings.
Following a fielder's choice and walk to load the bases to start the top of the fifth, RIC jumped ahead, 3-0, when Abbruzzese smacked a three-run double to left center to clear the bases. Gilchrist limited the damage however, inducing a groundout and recording a strikeout to end the inning down just three.
The game stayed 3-0 until the bottom of the seventh inning when the Panthers struck. A one-out double by senior first baseman Brian Thompson (Southington, CT) was followed by an error on a fielder's choice to put runners at first and second with one down. The next batter, junior catcher Dan Armstrong (Danville, NH), knocked an RBI single to left field to drive in Thompson. RIC junior left fielder Matt Foley (Seekonk, MA) limited the damage, throwing out the trail runner at home plate to keep the score 3-1. Cummiskey was able to get the next batter to ground out to third base to secure the lead.
The Anchormen padded their lead in the top of the eighth, scoring four runs in the frame. Foley, senior third baseman Tyler Santaniello (Cumberland, RI) and junior designated hitter Angelo St. Laurent (Cranston, RI) each recorded an RBI in the inning as RIC extended its lead to six, 7-1.
The RIC pitching staff took care of the rest, as Cummiskey pitched a scoreless eighth and sophomore reliever Jake Roy (Seekonk, MA) pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the 7-1 victory.
Cummiskey allowed one unearned run on six hits in 8.0 innings of work while striking out four in the victory (6-1). Gilchrist allowed five runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, while striking out five in the defeat (4-4).
Game two saw the Anchormen jump on top in the second inning. Senior right fielder Pat Rogers (Waterford, CT) opened the inning with a double to right center and advanced to third on a passed ball. Santaniello drove Rogers in with a sacrifice fly to right field to put RIC on top, 1-0.
RIC struck again in the top of the sixth inning to double its lead. A one-out single by freshman second baseman Shaun Vigeant (Coventry, RI) put a runner on and he moved to second when classmate, center fielder Brad Douglas (Wakefield, RI) grounded out to first. Vigeant was driven in on the next at-bat when Foley singled to right field to put RIC up 2-0.
RIC junior lefty Dylan Pingitore (Johnston, RI) started the home half of the inning with back-to-back ground outs. PSU freshman catcher Cam Ruziak (Sterling, MA) walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, scoring on a single by junior left fielder Justin Walsh (Goffstown, NH) to right field.
The bottom of the seventh saw the Panthers strike, scoring two runs on a double down the left field line by Thompson which drove in two runs. RIC went to the bulpen, bringing in senior righty Joe Brooks (Pawtucket, RI) to close out the inning. Following a scoreless eighth inning, the Anchormen were down to their final three outs, looking for one run to extend the game.
Following a ground out to open the ninth, Foley was walked to put the tying runner aboard with one down. The Panthers switched from junior starter Matt Doxter (Somersworth, NH), to senior reliever Josh Young (Somersworth, NH) for the final two outs. Young was able to get a strikeout and groundout on successive batters to seal the split for Plymouth State.
Pingitore went 6.2innings, allowing just three runs on nine hits, while striking out four in the loss (3-2). Doxter went 8.1 innings, allowing two runs, just one of them earned, on four hits, while striking out seven in the victory (3-3). Young went 0.2 innings and struck out one for the save (5).
Foley went 1-for-3 with one RBI in game two, while Santaniello picked up an RBI. Thompson led the Panthers, going 1-for-4 with two RBI in the victory.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will compete at the 2015 Little East Conference Baseball Tournament, hosted by Southern Maine on May 6-9.