FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2005

RIC DOWNS EASTERN CONNECTICUT, 6-3
Thibault Hurls Gem As RIC Heads To Championship Game

Providence, RI—Freshman pitcher Eric Thibault (Somerset, MA) pitched a complete game, five-hitter to lead the fifth-seeded Anchormen past top-seeded Eastern Connecticut, 6-3, at the 2005 Little East Conference Baseball Tournament. RIC, 3-0 at the tourney, advances to the Championship Game against fourth-seeded Western Connecticut tomorrow at noon. The Colonials (2-1) already have one loss in this double-elimination tournament.

 The Anchormen scored three runs in the top of the first inning against three different ECSU pitchers after there were two out and no one on base. RIC added two more runs in the second frame to put the Warriors in a hole. Freshman right fielder Robert Doyon (Douglas, MA) drove in two runs in the first inning with a double to right field, while freshman first baseman Jim Connell (Smithfield, RI) and senior designated hitter Matt Brannon (Cranston, RI) each drove in a run to help RIC build a 5-0 lead. Senior third baseman Chris Smaldone (Johnston, RI) went 3-for-4 in the game with an insurance RBI in the fifth frame.

 The loss eliminates Eastern Connecticut from the tournament.

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