FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2008

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE SINKS BABSON, 6-2
Thibault & Schabowski Combine in Anchormen Win

Babson Park, MA—Senior Eric Thibault (Somerset, Mass.) pitched six strong innings and sophomore designated hitter Tim Schabowski (Pascoag, R.I.) went 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season as the Rhode Island College baseball team defeated host Babson College, 6-2, in a non-conference matchup at Govoni Field on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, RIC improved to 24-11, while Babson fell to 26-11.

 Tim Schabowski

The Anchormen took a 2-0 lead on back-to-back RBI singles by sophomore left fielder Jared Rossi (Johnston, R.I.) and junior catcher Jordan Amorin (Swansea, Mass.) in the top of the second, but Babson answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when junior Bryan Evans (Bellaire, Texas) singled, moved to second on a groundout, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on an infield single by sophomore Peter O’Toole (Salem, Mass.).

RIC extended its lead to 3-1 in the third, as junior right fielder Chris O’Connors (North Kingstown, R.I.) stroked a two-out double to left center and scored on an RBI single up the middle by junior shortstop Josh Cardoso (Dartmouth, Mass.). Babson again cut its deficit to one when sophomore Brian Scanlon (Lawrenceville, N.J.) scored on a wild pitch in the fourth, but Schabowski answered with a two-run homer over the wall in right in the top of the sixth, giving the Anchormen a 5-2 advantage. RIC would tack on another run in the top of the ninth as the visitors claimed the 6-2 victory.

Thibault (7-2) allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits, walked two and struck out four in six innings for RIC. Sophomore Eric Gelsomino (Johnston, R.I.), sophomore Bobby Venditto (Cranston, R.I.), and junior Eric Fama (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Anchormen, with Gelsomino and Fama both striking out the side.

 Eric Thibault

First-year Andrew Aizenstadt (Norwell, Mass.) suffered his first defeat of the season for Babson, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking two and fanning four in seven innings of work. The loss dropped his overall record to 5-1. Junior Chris Legrow (North Andover, Mass.) pitched the final two frames for the Beavers, giving up one run on one hit and striking out one.

Schabowski finished 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs, and two RBIs, while Rossi went 2-for-4 with one run and one driven in. Amorin also knocked in a pair for RIC, and senior first baseman Jim Connell (Smithfield, R.I.) scored twice.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will close out the regular season with an important Little East Conference doubleheader at first place Keene State on Saturday, May 3.

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