Knights Battleground Week 27

BASEBALL: 

Baseball looked to get in the win column after their trip to Florida and would have 4 chances to do so this week, with a game against NHTI, followed by a 3-game series against Massasoit on Thursday and Saturday.  

Due to field conditions, CCRI hosted NHTI at Bill Beck Field on the Campus of URI. CCRI got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Jake Faiola singled, scoring two runs, Piscione singled, scoring two runs, Alan Carpenter tripled, scoring one run, and a wild pitch scored one run. CCRI scored eight runs on eight hits in the bottom of the third inning. Dylan Perrault singled, scoring one run, David Linn doubled, scoring one run, Piscione doubled, scoring two runs, Carpenter singled, scoring one run, Kody Fretts singled, scoring one run, and Josh Pedus tripled, scoring two runs. Brayden Beard started the game for CCRI. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking one.  Bobby Court, Andrew Agostinelli, Owen Aiviolatis, and Logan Dean each came on in relief for CCRI and shutdown New Hampshire Technical Institute, combining for a no-hitter in a 5-pitcher effort. Chris Piscione collected three hits in four at bats. Piscione doubled in the third inning, singled in the second inning, and singled in the first inning. CCRI collected 16 hits in the game. Jake Faiola, Chris Piscione, and Alan Carpenter each collected three hits for CCRI. Perrault and Pedus each collected multiple hits for CCRI.  The final score was 16-0, Rhode Island.  

The Knights looked to take this momentum into the start of the series against Massasoit Thursday. Rhode Island traveled to Massasoit for the first game, and the remaining 2 would be at CCRI on Saturday. In the first game,  Massasoit was the first to get on the board in the third on a sacrifice fly, scoring one run. CCRI captured the lead, 3-1, in the top of the fourth when Kody Fretts doubled, scoring one run, and Noah McParland singled, scoring two runs. After jumping out to an early lead, Massasoit was unable to catch the Knights, and would go onto win the game 6-3.   Logan Dean earned a win for CCRI. The starter surrendered four hits and three runs over five innings, striking out five and walking three. Pat Mitchell collected the save. Andrew Agostinelli, Owen Aiviolatis , and Clyde Boutier each came on in relief for CCRI.  McParland led CCRI with two runs batted in from the number eight spot in the lineup. The infielder went 1-for-4 on the day. Kelvin Santos, Josh Pedus, and Fretts each collected two hits for CCRI. The series now moved to CCRI on Saturday for games 2 and 3.  

In game 2, Massasoit opened the scoring in the second after stealing home.  Massasoit then scored six runs on three hits in the top of the third inning.  The Knights made a valient effort to close the gap in score, but was a bit too late.  Kelvin Santos and Piscione each drove in two runs for CCRI. Derek De La Cruz collected two hits for CCRI in four at bats. Chris Piscione collected three hits in four at bats, but CCRI lost to Massasoit 12-8.  Bobby Court came in to pitch three innings in relief for CCRI. The pitcher surrendered four hits and four runs (two earned) while, striking out two and walking two. Tyler Reall took the loss for CCRI. The starter went two and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking four.     

CCRI headed into the final game of the series looking for a win, and opened the scoring in the first after Alan Carpenter hit into a double play, but one run scored. CCRI added one run in the third after Kelvin Santos singled down the left field line. CCRI scored four runs in the fifth inning, which helped them defeat Massasoit 6-0 on Saturday.  Josh Pedus singled, scoring one run, Dylan Perrault drew a walk, scoring one run, Damon Ascencio drew a walk, scoring one run, and a wild pitch scored one run.  Chris Torres, CCRI's number eight hitter, led the team with two hits in two at-bats. Kelvin Santos, Josh Pedus, and Alan Carpenter each drove in one run for CCRI. Dlyan Perrault and Chris Torres each stole multiple bases for CCRI. CCRI stole eight bases in the game.   

Pat Mitchell stepped on the hill first for CCRI. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out six and walking three.  Owen Aiviolatis threw one and two-thirds innings of zero-run ball for CCRI in relief.     

Rhode Island has won 3 of their last 4 and earned a series win over Massasoit. They are now 3-11 and look to continue their hot streak Wednesday, April 2nd at home in Warwick vs Nichols College JV at 3:30 PM. Looking ahead, CCRI will start a 3-game series with Roxbury, starting Thursday at home at 3:30 PM followed by Saturday away at 1 and 3:30 PM. The Knights will then begin another series Sunday against UConn Avery Point, with two games starting at 12 and 3 PM.  

SOFTBALL: 

The Knights had just two games scheduled this week, a double header versus Dutchess Community College on Sunday, March 30, at Winslow Park in Warwick.  The Lady Knights were the first to get on the board in the first when Sophia Chevian doubled, scoring two runs. Kathryn Motta then singled to center field, making the score 3-1 CCRI. Dutchess was able to knot game 1 at 3 headed into the 4th. in the bottom of the fifth, scoring six runs on six hits to take the lead, 9-3.   Brianna Grenier collected three hits in four at bats, as CCRI Lady Knights defeated Dutchess CC 12-3 in game 1 of the doubleheader.  Janina Mazzulla got the win in the circle for CCRI Lady Knights. The starter gave up four hits and three runs over six innings, striking out eight and walking five.   

In game 2, the Knights got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first inning after Brianna Grenier singled, scoring one run, then Zoe Battersby scored after tagging up. Next, Crystaliah Covel singled, scoring one run, and an error scored two runs. In the second inning, the Knights extended their early lead after back-to-back home runs by Zoe Battersby and Brianna Grenier. In the 4th, Jenna Altieri homered to left field, scoring two runs and put a cap on the Knights dominant hitting performance on the weekend, as they would go on to win 14-0 over dutchess. Sophia Chevian earned her third win of the season in the circle Lady Knights. The pitcher allowed two hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking one. 

Rhode Island has now won 4 straight and have a 7-5 overall record. They have 4 games scheduled for this coming week. First is a double-header Wednesday afternoon vs NHTI at Winslow Park, game times being 3 and 5 PM. Then on Sunday, April 6th, they will travel to Roxbury CC for a double-header at 2 and 4 PM.