Providence, R.I.-A late Rhode Island rally fell just short as intra-city rival Johnson & Wales was able to score a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to escape with a 5-4 victory in non-conference baseball action played at the SMG Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

The Wildcats (16-4) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior left fielder Tom Elkow (Morganville, NJ) smacked an RBI single to drive in freshman right fielder Dave Matthews (Newtown, CT).

The Wildcats extended their advantage to four, 4-0, in the bottom half of the fourth inning. The scoring started when junior third baseman Carlos Sanabria (Pawtucket, RI) smacked and RBI single through the left side that scored junior shortstop Lou Umberto (Cranston, RI). The next batter up, sophomore second baseman Ivan Reyes (Cranston, RI), reached on a fielder's choice that scored sophomore center fielder Rob Ballinger (South Kingstown, RI). JWU scored its final run of the inning when Matthews notched an RBI single to center field.

The Anchormen (9-14-2) rally started in the top of the seventh inning when RIC was able to plate three runs. Junior third baseman Scott Linnane North Kingstown, RI) scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-1 JWU. Junior left fielder Austin Barry (North Kingstown, RI) was able to cut the deficit down to two when he stroked an RBI single up the middle that scored senior shortstop Gian Abbruzzese (North Providence, RI). RIC rounded out the scoring in the stanza with sophomore pitcher Edward Apice (North Kingstown, RI) registered an RBI after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to pull the club within a run, 4-3

The Anchormen would tie the game in the eighth inning with Linnane scoring on another wild pitch before the late-game heroics of the Wildcats. With a pair of runners on base and one out, Sanabria stepped up and ripped an RBI single to center field to secure the walk-off victory for the Wildcats.

Apice went 1.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits in the loss (1-1) for the Anchormen. JWU freshman pitcher Josh Mosseau (Woonsocket, RI) pitched 0.2 scoreless innings and struck out one batter in the victory (1-0).

Barry and Apice each notched RBI to lead the Anchormen offense, with Linnane's two runs scored pacing the team. Sanabria went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Matthews went 3-fo-4 with an RBI of his own in the victory.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action at Keene State on Saturday, April 16 (noon).