Providence- R.I.--Sophomore third baseman/pitcher Mike Webb (Pawtucket, RI) went 3-for-8 with a run scored, one double and two RBI, to go along with hurling five innings of relief to earn a win, as Rhode Island College split a doubleheader with Keene State in the Little East Conference opener for both clubs at Pontarelli Field on Sunday afternoon.

In game one, Keene State (8-9, 1-1 LEC) took the early lead in the top of the first when sophomore catcher Nate Rossi (Hampstead, NH) reached on a RIC (11-6, 1-1 LEC) error. Rossi then scored on an RBI double from freshman first baseman Connor Walsh (Goffstown, NH) and went ahead 2-0 on a sacrifice fly from junior third baseman Christian Bourgea (Litchfield, NH). RIC got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when senior designated hitter Austin Barry (North Kingstown, RI) scored on a sacrifice fly from Webb to make the score 2-1.

Keene State responded in the top of the fifth and regained the two-run advantage on a sacrifice fly from sophomore right fielder Connor Longley (Foxboro, MA) for the 3-1 lead. The Owls tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, which included an RBI single from sophomore left fielder Devin Springfield (Jaffrey, NH), to make the score 5-1. Keene State broke the game open with six runs in the top of the seventh, led by a two-run single from Walsh and a two-run triple from freshman Tom Meucci (Newington, CT), to allow the visitors to secure an 11-1 victory after just seven innings due to the 10-run rule.

Walsh went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI, while sophomore designated hitter John Tarascio (Wethersfield, CT) added three hits and a run scored in the win for Keene State. Webb was 1-for-2 with an RBI in the loss for RIC. Senior PJ Watson (Cheshire, CT) suffered the loss for RIC (1-1), allowing five runs (three earned) on nine hits to go along with three strikeouts in six innings of work. Senior Michael Crimi (Bethel, CT) picked up the win (3-0) for Keene State, allowing one unearned run on four hits with six strikeouts in seven innings of work.

In game two, Keene State got on the board in the top the second when an RBI single from junior center fielder Zach Rollins (Stafford Springs, CT) staked the Owls to a 1-0 lead. RIC took its first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the third after a two-run double from Barry put the Anchormen up by one, 2-1. RIC added some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, using a two-run single from sophomore third baseman Mike Webb (Pawtucket, RI) as part of a three-run inning to take the 5-1 lead.

The hosts added three more runs to go up by six, 8-2, in the seventh, keyed by a two-run blast (1) by junior right fielder Shaun Vigeant (Coventry, RI). Keene State stormed back and tied the game with a six-run eighth, keyed by a three-run blast (1) by Rollins and a pair of RIC errors. Webb came on with the bases empty and no outs in the frame and settled down to hurl the remainder of the contest.

The Anchormen loaded the bases with two down in the 11^th, but KSC junior reliever Tim Coppinger (Schenectady, NY) got Webb to line out to center field to keep the game scoreless. In the home half of the 12^th, RIC freshman shortstop Rommy Morel (Providence, RI) led off with a single down the left field line. After being sacrificed to second, freshman third baseman Nate Donovan (Lincoln, RI) doubled to right field to allow the hosts to walk-off with the, 9-8, victory.

Webb earned the win (1-0), his first collegiate victory, while Coppinger (0-2) took the loss.

Rollins went 5-for-10 with two runs scored, a homer and four RBI for KSC on the day.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Elms on Wednesday, April 5 (3:30 p.m.).