April 16, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Rhode Island scored three times in the top of the ninth inning, to come-from-behind and snatch a 7-6 win over the Fairfield University baseball team on Wednesday afternoon, at Alumni Diamond.
The Stags (6-19-1, 4-7 MAAC) led 6-4 entering the top of the ninth inning, but the Rams (15-17) sent eight runners to the pate scoring three runs on four hits to take the lead.
Fairfield jumped out to a 4-0 lead with an RBI single from junior Antuan Barnett (Bronx, N.Y./Rice) to bring home junior Andy Lynn (Montville, N.J./Delbarton) who singled and stole second to start the inning.
The Stags would add three runs in the next inning, when junior Mike Wray (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) doubled down the left field line to bring home fellow classmates Nick Hudyma (New Britain, Conn./New Britain) and Sal Mancuso (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage). Wray would come home on a single from leadoff hitter Mark Geanuleas (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./New Church).
Fairfield starter Sean Keegan (Middlebury, Conn./Pomperaug) looked good early, holding the Rams off the board for the first four innings. He finished the day giving up four runs one earned on five hits and two walks. The freshman right-hander struck out three Rhode Island hitters.
The Rams scored four times in the top of the fifth inning, but the Stags would cross the plate twice in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-4 lead. With the bases loaded and two out Hudyma reached on an error with the Ram second baseman, bringing home Barnett and Mancuso.
Geanuleas would lead the Stags at the plate with a 2-for-5 with a run batted in. Barnett would go 1-for-3 with one RBI, one run scored, and a walk. Matt Sullivan led the Rams at the plate, by going 3-for-5 with four runs batted in.
Fairfield returns to action over the weekend when it travels to Marist College for a three-game MAAC series.
