FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2008

Bruce Celico shines in AnchormAn debut

TEMPLE TERRANCE, Fla. – Junior left-handed pitcher Bruce Celico (Westerly, R.I.) fanned 10 batters in his Rhode Island College debut this afternoon as the Anchormen completed a doubleheader sweep of Colby-Sawyer College, winning the nightcap, 13-5, at Florida College. Six student-athletes recorded multiple hits as Rhode Island College pounded out 14 knocks to raise its record to 2-0.

 Bruce Celico

            In his first appearance in a Rhode Island College uniform, Celico allowed just three hits and a walk, while striking out 10 in six innings of work. The lefty retired Colby-Sawyer College in order the first four innings, setting down the minimum 12 batters and posting six strikeouts. Celico surrendered a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but responded by fanning four of the final six batters he faced.

            The Anchormen received production from the top seven batters in their starting nine as each hitter registered at least one base knock. Senior first baseman Jim Connell (Smithfield, R.I.) paced the offensive eruption with a 3-for-3 showing from the plate with three extra base hits and four RBI. Junior right fielder Chris O’Connors (North Kingstown, R.I.) and senior designated hitter Robert Reyes (Providence, R.I.) each went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, while sophomore leftfielder Jared Rossi (Johnston, R.I.) added two hits and two RBI.

            After two and a half scoreless innings, Rhode Island College scored four runs in the bottom of the third. Connell laced a double to left-centerfield to plate the first two runs of the game, while Rossi singled to centerfield to score Connell from second. Rossi stole his first base of the season, putting himself in scoring position for Reyes. Reyes delivered with a double into the right-centerfield gap to cap the four-run inning.

            The Chargers (0-2) were finally able to solve Celico in the fifth frame. Colby-Sawyer was awarded its first base runner of the afternoon on a walk, while centerfielder Ramsay homered to right field to cut the deficit to 4-2. Celico quickly returned to form by striking out the side in order.

             The Anchormen put the contest out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring eight runs on eight hits. With one out in the frame, Rhode Island College strung together six consecutive hits to score five runs, including a two-RBI triple by Connell. Junior centerfielder B.J. Doyon (Douglas, Mass.) capped the rally with an RBI-single to leftfield.

            Sophomore pitcher Bobby Venditto (Cranston, R.I.) made his first appearance of the season, coming in relief for Celico in the top of the seventh inning. He surrendered one run on two hits, while logging a pair of strikeouts.

            Rhode Island College returns to the diamond at 1 p.m. on March 9, when the Anchormen square off against Daniel Webster College in a doubleheader at Florida College.