Tsoumakas Fires Shutout as Anchormen Nearly Sweep Bridgewater State

More news about: Rhode Island College

Bridgewater, Mass.-Sophomore pitcher C.J. Tsoumakas (Hope, RI) fired a complete game, seven-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts as Rhode Island College defeated Bridgewater State, 4-0, in game one of a doubleheader vs. the Bears at Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
BSU (8-9) rebounded to edge the Anchormen (9-7), 4-3, in game two.
 
In the opening tilt, RIC jumped out to a quick, 3-0, lead in the top of the first. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Verrecchia (Cranston, RI) and junior second baseman Joan Mustafa (Providence, RI) each contributed RBI singles, while Verrecchia later trotted home on a wild pitch to get things started.
 
In the seventh inning, senior shortstop Kyle Allaire (Uxbridge, MA) walked with the bases loaded to bring the contest's final run. Tsoumakas was outstanding en route to his second win (2-1). 
 
The Anchormen looked like they were in position to sweep the doubleheader, taking a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the Bears exploded for four runs to secure the walk-off victory.
 
Freshman right fielder Dean Grasso (Cranston, RI) staked the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the fourth with an RBI double. In the sixth, Grasso knocked in another with a sacrifice fly and junior third baseman Cody Ortega (Kissimmee, FL) smacked an RBI single.
 
Freshman starter Dylan Cummiskey (Warwick, RI) took the lead into the seventh, but the hosts gained some momentum with a leadoff single and were able to push across the tying and game-winning runs with the bases loaded and one out on a single to center field.
 
Cummiskey took the loss (1-1), allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits to go along with eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Senior Mike DeWald (Hope Valley, RI) saw action in relief.
 
 Mustafa led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. Allaire and Ortega were the only other Anchormen with multiple hits, as each player went 2-for-6 with an RBI.
 
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Becker on Thursday, March 29 (3:30 p.m.).