FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2008

Irwin, Mount Union shut down Anchormen attack

SAINT LEO, Fla.–Senior designated hitter Robert Reyes (Providence, R.I.) belted a solo home run for Rhode Island College’s lone run this afternoon as the Anchormen suffer their first loss of the season, falling to Mount Union, 6-1, in the second game of a collegiate baseball doubleheader at Saint Leo University.

 Robert Reyes

            Rhode Island College’s (5-1) potent offense was limited to just one hit, breaking a streak of four consecutive games with at least 14 hits and 13 runs. The Anchormen could not solve the Purple Raiders’ sophomore starting pitcher Joe Irwin. The crafty lefty kept the local nine off balance, throwing a complete-game, one hitter with four strikeouts.

            Mount Union (3-1) cracked the scoring column in the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits. With two outs and runners on second and third, third baseman Nate McFarland lined a double down the leftfield line to give the Purple Raiders a 2-0 advantage. Shortstop Craig Knott scored McFarland with a base hit through the left side of the infield, capping the three-run frame.

            Reyes provided Rhode Island College’s lone offensive production with a line drive, opposite field homer to rightfield to lead off the third inning. The Anchormen could not muster another threat as Irwin kept RIC at arms length, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters.

            Mount Union would tack on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning, staking the Purple Raiders to a 6-1 advantage.

            Junior right-handed pitcher Jeff Costa (Pawtucket, R.I.) was saddled with his first loss of the season, allowing three earned runs on four hits, while walking a trio of batters and recording two strikeouts. Rhode Island College pieced together three effective innings of relief with three different student-athletes. Senior closer Eric Fama (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) made his season debut, sandwiching a strikeout between a pair of ground ball outs for a scoreless seventh inning.  

            Rhode Island College returns to action at 1 p.m. on March 12, when the Anchormen face RPI (4-0) at Eckerd College. Freshman pitcher Gary Levesque (East Providence, R.I.) is scheduled to make his first start of the season against the Red Hawks.