Providence, R.I.—Sophomore third baseman Mike Webb (Pawtucket, RI) went 1-for-4 with an RBI as the Rhode Island College baseball team fell to Johnson & Wales, 11-1, at Pontarelli Field on Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats were able to avenge a 9-6 loss from yesterday to even the season series from their cross-city rivals.

Johnson & Wales (12-10) was led by junior center fielder Rob Ballinger (South Kingstown, RI), who went 3-for-5 with one run scored and one RBI. Junior designated hitter Edison Mercado (Providence, RI) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Sophomore starter James Smiegocki (Lambertville, NJ) picked up the win (3-0) on the mound for JWU, allowing one unearned run on seven hits to go along with five strikeouts in eight innings of work.   

RIC (12-10) senior designated hitter Austin Barry (North Kingstown, RI) went 1-for-3 with a run scored in the setback. Junior starter Daniel Greaves (Warwick, RI) suffered the loss (2-3), giving up six runs on seven hits to go along with two strikeouts in six innings of work.

JWU jumped out to the early lead in the top of the first when an RBI double from sophomore right fielder Dave Matthews (Newtown, CT) put the Wildcats up 1-0. Matthews would later come around to score on an RBI single from sophomore left fielder Armani Henderson (Johnston, RI) for the 2-0 advantage. The Wildcats plated three runs in the top of the third and added a run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from Ballinger to take a 6-0 lead.

RIC (12-10) got on the board in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single from Webb. The Anchormen loaded the bases in the frame, but could only muster the one run to make the score 6-1.

JWU tacked on two in the eighth and added three more in the ninth, which included a two-run single from senior shortstop Lou Umberto (Cranston, RI).

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action at Southern Maine on Saturday, April 15 (noon).