Providence, R.I.-Rhode Island College sophomore pitcher C.J. Tsoumakas (Hope, RI) was lights out in game one, while freshman pitcher Dylan Cummiskey (Warwick, RI) was just as dominant in game two, as the Anchormen used stellar pitching to take both ends of a doubleheader with Plymouth State, 10-3 and 5-2, in Little East Conference baseball action played at Anchorman Field on Saturday.

RIC (15-8, 3-1 LEC) jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first after a double from senior catcher J.P. Stone (Narragansett, RI) plated senior shortstop Kyle Allaire (Uxbridge, MA), who had opened the frame with a leadoff single. Stone soon came around to score on a fielder's choice by senior left fielder Brent Hopkins (Cranston, RI) to make it, 2-0, and then Hopkins added another run for the Anchormen as he was brought in on an RBI single from freshman right fielder Dean Grasso (Cranston, RI).

After Stone opened the stanza with a leadoff triple, the Anchormen added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Stone crossed the plate on an RBI ground out from senior first baseman Dan Hopkins (Cranston, RI), making it, 4-0.

In the fourth inning, Brent Hopkins doubled to score both Allaire and Stone as the Anchormen continued to increase their lead over Plymouth State (9-10, 1-3 LEC). Sophomore designated hitter Alex Verrecchia (Cranston, RI) followed that up with a single to right field that plated both Dan Hopkins and Brent Hopkins, giving RIC an 8-0 lead. Moments later, Verrecchia scored on a wild pitch to make it, 9-0.

Tsoumakas was in the midst of firing a shutout until the eighth inning, when PSU junior third baseman Rew Wilson (Niantic, CT) launched a three-run homer over the left field fence to put the Panthers on the board.

RIC added one more in the bottom half of the eighth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Brent Hopkins that scored Stone and made it, 10-3. Senior pitcher Matthew Thadeio (West Greenwich, RI) relieved Tsoumakas and shut the door in the ninth to seal the victory.

Tsoumakas (2-3) tossed a gem to earn his second victory of the season. Through eight innings of work, the southpaw surrendered three runs on six hits and one walk, while striking out 12. Prior to the eighth inning, Tsoumakas had scattered just three hits through the first seven frames.

Senior lefthander Bobby Chatfield (Sharon, CT) got saddled with the loss (1-3) after conceding nine runs (eight earned) off eight hits and two walks, while recording five punchouts. 

In game two, it was again the Anchormen who drew first blood. After both starting pitchers worked quickly through the first four innings, Rhode Island College opened the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles from Dan Hopkins and Brent Hopkins. Verrecchia followed with a two-run triple to get RIC on the board, and then scored moments later on a wild pitch to stake the hosts to a 3-0 lead.

In the seventh inning, Verrecchia again sparked the Anchormen, this time leading off the frame with a double down the right field line. Grasso then laced an RBI single to plate Verrecchia. After stealing second base, Grasso took off in an attempt to swipe third, but just as Grasso reached the bag, the throw sailed into the outfield and allowed Grasso to score, making it 5-0.

After sophomore pitcher David Hoey (Lincoln, RI) worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning in relief of Cummiskey, the Panthers mustered a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning as senior first baseman Mike Cappiello (Westfield, NJ) and senior designated hitter Luke Merrill (Pittsburg, NH) scored on an RBI ground out and a wild pitch, respectively. However, it wasn't enough for Plymouth State, as senior reliever Eric Blanchard (Warwick, RI) worked through the jam to record the final out, thwarting PSU's attempt at a comeback.

Cummiskey (2-1) was brilliant in seven shutout innings, as he allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out five.

Plymouth senior pitcher Jonathan Bishop (Woburn, MA) got hit with the loss (2-1), surrendering three runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out five through five innings.

Verrecchia went 4-for-8 on the day with a double, a triple, four RBI and three runs scored, while Brent Hopkins added four RBI and three runs scored as well. Grasso went 4-for-7 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. Stone also finished with four hits, as he registered a double, two triples, an RBI and four runs scored on the afternoon.

Merrill highlighted Plymouth State's day at the plate, as he finished 4-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored. Cappiello added a pair of hits to go along with two runs scored, while junior left fielder Steve Beard (Middleton, MA) chipped in with a pair of hits as well.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Johnson & Wales on Monday, April 9 (3:30 p.m.).