Nicklas Heminger
Sports Editor
The Rhode Island College Anchormen opened the last week of the regular season with three games remaining until the Little East Conference Tournament. RIC entered the week winning 13 of their last 14 games and on a five game win streak. The Anchormen have posted a 25-11 record on the season with a 12-1 record in LEC play.
The Anchormen opened the week’s action against the Western Connecticut State Wolves. The Wolves entered action against the Anchormen with a 9-28 record on the season and a 3-12 record in the LEC. The Anchormen took the previous matchup between the two teams by a final of 19-6. The Anchormen opened up scoring in this game when a Cole Podedworny single drove in a run. Joey Coro followed that up with a double to score two more runs and give RIC a 3-0 lead. The Anchormen jumped all over the Wolves in the bottom of the second inning as they pushed the lead to 10-0. Cal Parrillo and Lucas McElroy each drove in a run with singles, while Podedworny drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Coro drove in a run with a double, then scored on a throwing error. David Iannuccilli drove in the last two runs of the inning with a double to center field. RIC added three more runs in the bottom of the third, when Coro doubled to drive in a run and Sean Helfrich singled to drive in two. The Anchormen pushed the lead to 15-0 in the bottom of the fourth, where it would stay until a mercy rule ended the game in the seventh. The Anchormen cruised to a 15-0 win over the Wolves. Connor Davey picked up the win for the Anchormen, going six innings scoreless while giving up two hits and striking out seven. After this win, Davey moved into first all-time for career wins for a RIC pitcher. Brenden Aldridge pitched one inning, striking out two batters and giving up one hit.
The Anchormen ended the regular season hosting the Plymouth State Panthers for a doubleheader. Plymouth State entered game one of the double header, with a 11-19 record on the season and a 3-11 record in LEC action.
Game one saw the Anchormen grab the lead first as a Helfrich single, in the bottom of the second, drove in the first run. Iannuccilli then drove in Helfrich to give the Anchormen a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third inning, Helfrich collected his second rbi of the game on a sac fly to left field that pushed the lead to 3-0. Cameron Santerre drew a bases loaded walk later in the inning, plating a run and giving RIC a 4-0 lead. Daniel Trzepacz drove in the Anchormen’s fifth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, before a Parillo grand slam blew the game wide open and gave RIC a 9-0 lead.
A Podedworny single, in the bottom of the seventh, drove in RIC’s tenth run of the game and ended the game via mercy rule. The Anchormen routed the Panthers in Game One by a final of 10-0. Shaun Gamelin picked up the win, going six innings scoreless while giving up three hits and striking out 13. Aldridge pitched one inning, allowing no hits.
Game two saw RIC once again jump ahead first. A McElroy sac fly to right field pushed across the first run for the Anchormen. Iannuccilli drove in the second run for the Anchormen on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning. Shortly after, Santerre drove in a run with a double to right field and the Anchormen held a 3-0 lead. Coro singled in the fifth inning to give RIC a 5-0 lead. The Anchormen tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to push the game out of reach. Iannuccilli and Santerre, both, scored on errors and Podedworny drove in a run with a single.
The Anchormen swept the Panthers, taking Game Two 8-0. Terry Murray got the win, going seven innings scoreless while giving up four hits and striking out seven. Colin Gauthier pitched two innings, giving up two hits and striking out three.
The Anchormen finished this season with a 28-11 record and a 15-1 record in the LEC. The Anchormen won their first-ever LEC Regular Season Championship, clinching sole possession after the wins over Plymouth State.
The Anchormen are the number one seed for the LEC Conference Tournament and host the number six seed, Castleton University. RIC will host the game Wednesday, May 10 at 9 a.m.