Rhody baseball shuts out Dayton, improves overall record to 17-10-1

04/07/09 - The University of Rhode Island baseball team swept Dayton University this past weekend, shutting them down in all three games, 10-1, 4-2 and 3-0."We played a lot of good baseball this weekend," junior Oliver Palmer said.

The Rams improved to 17-10-1 overall and 7-2 in Atlantic 10 play after the three victories.

"We've had some struggles in midweek games where we didn't play well at all," Palmer said. "It was good to get that out of the way. It gave us a gut check and made us more focused."

In the first game of the series, junior Tim Boyce got the start for the Rams. Although he hit batters in each of the first two innings, he was able to escape both innings without allowing a runner to reach second base.

In the bottom of the second, junior Rob DeVeney ripped a double with one out in the inning, and advanced to third the following single by sophomore Jeff Cammans. Freshman Mike LeBel hit the ball to deep left in the next at bat, allowing DeVeney to tag up and score URI's first run.

Dayton started to pick things up offensively in the third, threatening to score with runners on first and third with two outs. The Flyers were unable to come up with a big hit though, and stranded the two runners.

After a groundout to lead off the bottom of the third, the Rams' next three hitters reached base safely to load the bases for senior Dan Rhault. Rhault blew the game wide open when he caught ahold of the ball, powering it to right center field for his third career grand slam.

"A lot of timely hits really helped us out," Palmer said. "It's good to spread out scoring over the entire game, and not just score 10 runs in one inning."

With a 5-0 lead, Boyce continued to shut down the Dayton offense, not allowing base runners during the next three innings while striking out five.

The Rams' shutout was broken by the Flyers in the seventh inning, when they scored a run on two hits.

Palmer continued to provide URI with solid production on offense, hitting an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh and later scoring on a throwing error.

Boyce provided the Rams with another impressive inning in the eighth, retiring three batters in order by way of the groundout.

"Boyce pitched a heck of a game," Palmer said. "It's great to have that kind of pitching behind us."

A walk earned by sophomore Kenny Burns followed by back-to-back RBI doubles by sophomore Pete Mastors and Palmer put the Rams up 10-1.

Boyce headed out for the ninth inning attempting to get his first complete game of the year. He finished the game strong, getting the last batter to hit into a double play to end the game.

Palmer finished the game 4-4 with three RBI's and two runs scored, while freshman catcher Milan Adams added a 3-4 effort, scoring three runs in the process.

Boyce improved to 3-1 with his complete game effort, allowing just four hits and one run while striking out seven batters.

In the second game of the series, junior Nick Greenwood squared off against Dayton starter Quinn Haselhorst. Both pitchers dominated the opposing offenses early on, as the game remained scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth.

LeBel led things off in the inning with a single, and came around to score on a fielding error by Dayton on a double by Burns. Burns was then thrown out at third on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt by Adams. Palmer smashed a double with two outs in the inning to bring Adams in, giving the Rams a 2-0 advantage.

"It's important to win the first game of a doubleheader," Palmer said.

Greenwood continued his successful game in the top of the sixth, retiring the side in order.

"We got some more great pitching out of Greenwood," Palmer said. "He kept us in the game."

However, his performance would quickly come to an end in the seventh inning, as Dayton finally got things going offensively. After allowing three doubles to four hitters, Greenwood was taken out of the game with the score tied 2-2. The relief pitching of junior Mark Fraser and sophomore Gardner Leaver combined to retire the next two hitters and got the Rams out of the inning with the game still tied.

"The bullpen really pitched well for us when we needed it," Palmer said.

After the Rams were set down in order in the bottom of the seventh, Leaver returned to pitch the top of the eighth. He kept the tied score intact as he set down the three batters he faced in order.

After a pair of singles by Rhault and sophomore Tom Coulombe, DeVeney set up a sacrifice bunt to put the Rams ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. An insurance run was provided by Cammans when he hit a single that scored Coulombe with two outs in the inning.

Dayton did not go down easy in the ninth inning, threatening to score and tie up the game. A single was allowed by Rhody's senior closer Luke Demko to begin the inning. Demko struck out the next batter, but proceeded to walk the following player, bringing the lead run to the plate for Dayton. Demko stayed cool on the mound, and was able to sit down the next two batters to end the game and earn the save in the Rams' 4-2 victory.

"It was another great victory," Palmer said. "We got the big plays when we needed them."

The winning pitcher for the Rams was Leaver, giving him three wins in relief this season.

The Rams headed into the third game hoping to sweep conference rival Dayton, who had entered the series with a conference record of 6-0.

After junior starter Eric Smith escaped a jam after hitting a batter and allowing a single in the top of the first, URI got the bats going in the bottom of the inning.

Leadoff hitter Mastors earned a walk and stole second immediately, setting up Palmer with another chance to put runs on the board for URI. Palmer came through once again, crushing a double to right field that allowed Mastors to score easily.