RICHMOND, Va. – Third-seeded Rhode Island put up crooked numbers in each of the first two innings while Ryan Twitchell and Broc French combined on a three-hitter in an 8-2 victory over second-seeded Dayton in Round 1 of the A10 Tournament at The Diamond.
The Rams (28-24-1) had their first four players reach base to start the game. Austin White had a leadoff single and went to second on a walk to Josh Brodeaur. Sonny Ulliana had an RBI double and Xavier Vargas followed with a two-run single as URI went up 3-0.
Ulliana launched a three-run homer to cap a four-run second as the lead grew to 7-0. A Vargas sac fly in the fourth put the Rams on top 8-0.
The URI arms took over. Twitchell (5-1) worked the first five innings with one hit, two walks and six strikeouts. French pitched the final four frames with two hits and two punchouts to record his second save.
The two hits by French were both solo home runs. Riley Tirotta (2 for 4) sent a dinger down the left field line in the sixth. Mitchell Garrity had his long ball down the right field line in the eighth for the Flyers (22-26).
White went 4 for 5 with two runs. Brodeur was 1 for 3 with two walks and three runs. Ulliana was 2 for 3 with two runs and four RBI.
Friday’s first game will be a battle of Rams as URI will take on top-seeded VCU at noon.