Providence, R.I.-Senior pitchers Chris Mann (West Warwick, RI) and David Hoey (Lincoln, RI) each posted solid outings, but Eastern Connecticut swept a doubleheader (4-3, 4-1) from Rhode Island College in Little East Conference baseball action played at Anchorman Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Anchormen (8-23, 2-7 LEC) took an early lead in game one as senior shortstop Zach Hubbard (Kissimmee, FL) reached on an infield single to shortstop, was sacrificed to second and scored on sophomore right fielder Dean Grasso's (Cranston, RI) RBI single to right field.

RIC made it 2-0 in the third inning as senior center fielder Kevin Carey (Wakefield, RI) led off with a single, moved over to second on a ground out and scored on freshman third baseman Justin Costa's (Cranston, RI) RBI double down the left field line.

The Warriors (21-8-1, 6-3 LEC) evened the score in the top of the fourth as a walk and an error put the leadoff batters aboard. Eastern sacrificed the duo over to second and third, respectively, and senior center fielder Mike Riemer (Ellington, CT) later scored on an error. Classmate left fielder Tyler Caserta (Stratford, CT) then plated senior second baseman Drew Accomando (Monroe, CT) with a single to left field.

Eastern Connecticut took its first lead of the afternoon in the fifth inning as junior third baseman Mike Vaccarelli (Wolcott, CT) worked a one out walk and senior first baseman Joe Balowski (Berlin, CT) singled to put runners on first and second. With two down, Accomando singled to left to bring in Vaccarelli. The Warriors then put both runners in scoring position with a double steal and Balowski later scored on a RIC error to give the visitors a 4-2 advantage.

RIC cut its deficit down to 4-3 in the sixth as junior first baseman Justin Rainville (Lincoln, RI) reached on an infield single to third base. He then stole second and scored on sophomore second baseman Tyler Collins' (Cranston, RI) RBI single to left center field. Junior left fielder Chris Siravo (Wakefield, RI) was hit by a pitch, but Eastern sophomore reliever Chuck Vogt (Windsor Locks, CT) was summoned and got a 4-6-3 double play to end the host's threat.

Junior pitcher Pat Barnett (Windsor, CT) picked up the win (3-0), allowing one run on four hits to go along with three strikeouts in relief of senior starter Evan Chamberlain (Amston, CT). Senior Matt Purnell (Stafford Springs, CT) hurled a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save. Mann took the loss (2-3), allowing just one earned run on seven hits in a five-strikeout performance.

In the nightcap, the Anchormen took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth as Carey was hit by a pitch and Grasso singled up the middle. Freshman catcher Matt Foley (Seekonk, MA) then brought in the game's first run with a single to left field.

In the sixth, Eastern scored twice to take a 2-1 lead. With one out, the Warriors put runners on first and third as junior catcher Matt Ververis (Plainfield, CT) and junior shortstop Brendan Lynch (Wethersfield, CT) courtesy of back-to-back singles. Ververis scored on a passed ball and Lynch scored on a Balowski RBI ground out.

RIC loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to push across the tying run. Eastern added insurance runs in the top of the eighth as freshman left fielder Pete Gonski (East Lyme, CT) walked, was sacrificed to second and scored on a Ververis RBI single. Ververis was later brought home on a Vaccarelli RBI single.

ECSU senior pitcher Tom Darby (Middletown, RI) earned the win (5-1), allowing one run on six hits, while striking out nine. Purnell earned his second save of the day (7). Hoey suffered the loss (1-4), allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits, while striking out seven in a complete game effort.

Carey went 3-for-6 with two runs scored, while Rainville went 3-for-8 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored.

Vaccarelli went 4-for-8 with an RBI and a run scored for the Warriors. Lynch went 4-for-9 with a stolen base and a run scored.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East Conference play at UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, April 23 (3:30 p.m.).

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