PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Curry College Baseball team picked up a 12-5 win over Rhode Island College in non-conference action played at Anchorman Field on Thursday.

Rhode Island College drops to 18-11 on the season, while Curry College improves to 11-18.

After a quiet first inning, Curry College scratched out the first run of the game in the top of the second as junior catcher Matt Rodriguez (Quincy, MA) opened the frame with a leadoff double. Rodriguez soon stole third base and then tagged up on a deep fly ball to left field from senior first baseman Matt Drew (Waltham, MA) to take give the visitors the, 1-0, lead.

The Colonels took control of the game in the top of the third thanks to a two-out rally that was sparked by a triple from junior center fielder Shayne McDonald (Cambridge, MA). Senior shortstop Carlos Cornejo (Lake Forest, CA) doubled to score McDonald and then scored later in the inning, along with junior right fielder Sam Barron (Florence, MA), on a two-run single from senior second baseman David Stevens (Deerfield Beach, FL). Rodriguez scored later in the stanza to give Curry a 5-0 lead.

Rhode Island College managed to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third, as junior center fielder Kevin Carey (Wakefield, RI), who reached on a walk and then advanced to third on a double from Allaire, came around to score RIC¹s first run of the game on a passed ball.
Allaire and senior catcher J.P. Stone (Narragansett, RI), who reached on a fielder¹s choice, were driven home moments later on a two-run single from senior first baseman Dan Hopkins (Cranston, RI) to make it, 5-3.

However, the Colonels exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to seven. After back-to-back walks were issued by the Anchormen, freshman left fielder R.J. McCann (Brockton, MA) blasted a three-run homer over the left field fence to spearhead the offensive outburst. Curry added two more runs later in the frame as Barron and Cornejo each came around to score on a RIC throwing error.

After the Colonels left the bases loaded in the top of the fifth and failed to extend their lead, the Anchormen answered back in the bottom half of the frame with a run of their own as sophomore designated hitter Alex Verrecchia (Cranston, RI) scored on an RBI double from senior right fielder Dean Grasso (Cranston, RI) to make it, 10-4.

Curry College increased its lead to eight in the top of the seventh after a two-run single from Cornejo plated both McCann and McDonald, making it, 12-4.

In the eighth, freshman pinch hitter Kevin Dicomitis (Cumberland, RI) belted his first career home run, a solo shot over the left field fence, to cut the deficit to seven. However, it wasn¹t enough for the home team, as the Anchormen fell for just the fourth time in the month of April.

Junior right-hander Cory Pierro (Essex, MA) picked up the win (3-1) after relieving junior starting pitcher Zach Walker (Hingham, MA), who allowed just three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out one. Pierro conceded just one run on three hits, while fanning one and walking none.

Freshman right-hander Kyle Morvan (Smithfield, RI) was tagged with the loss (1-1) after surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks.

Dan Hopkins went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI to pace RIC¹s offense, while Verrecchia went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.

Cornejo led the Colonels offense with a 3-for-5 performance at the dish to go along with two doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored. McDonald finished with a double, a triple, and two runs scored, while Stevens went 2-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and two RBI. Barron went 2-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base, while Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored. (Game recap courtesy of RIC Sports Information)