Bronx, N.Y. – Rhode Island's Ryan Olmo and Mike Corin each drove in three runs, while Martin Figueroa scored three times, as URI defeated the Fordham Rams, 10-1, on Thursday at the 2016 Atlantic 10 Championship, hosted at Fordham's Houlihan Park.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 29-28 on the year, while Rhode Island improved to 28-25.
Fordham got off to the quick start, scoring once in the first, taking advantage of a Rhode Island error.
Joseph Runco doubled to left center with one out and then stole third, his 90
th career stolen base.
Mark Donadio then hit a chopper to third that URI's Martin Figueroa threw high, allowing Runco to score for a 1-0 edge.
URI answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a 2-1 lead. With runners at second and third and one out, Ryan Olmo connected on a two-run single to right, scoring Chris Hess and Martin Figueroa.
Greg Weissert struck out eight batters on Thursday.
Rhode Island added to their lead with two runs in the fourth, picking up a run on an RBI-single by Olmo and another run on a wild pitch.
After Rhode Island tacked on a run in the sixth, URI broke the game open with a five-run eighth inning, picking up a three-run home run by Mike Corin and a two-run home run by Martin Figueroa to seal a 10-1 win.
For Fordham,
Greg Weissert (5-6) took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits with five walks and eight strikeouts. At the plate, Fordham managed just four hits in the game. Runco was 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and a stolen base, while
Ryan McNally,
Luke Stampfl, and
Jason Lundy each had a hit.
The Rams now move into the elimination part of the bracket and face Saint Joseph's at 8:30 PM on Thursday night.
