KINGSTON, R.I. – The Sacred Heart University baseball team defeated the Rams of the University of Rhode Island in comeback fashion on Tuesday evening, 5-4. SHU put up four runs in the top of the ninth to secure the win. SHU's pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts.
 
Top Performers:
Pitching
Jonathan Peterson: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 6 SO
Mitch Hawkins (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
PJ Rogan (S, 2): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO
 
Hitting
Peter Link: 2 H, 1 R, 1 RBI
Steak Newman: 1 H, 1 R, 2 RBI
Ronan Donohue: 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI
 
How it Happened:
Peter Link got things started for the Pios in the first inning on the first pitch with a base hit up the middle. Link advanced to second on a wild pitch as Dante D'Amore battled through a full count, eventually singling through the left side. Tim McGuire plated Link with a sacrifice fly to put the Pios on the board first.
 
URI immediately responded with a solo home run to tie the game. Jonathan Peterson struck out two leaving two on base to get out of the inning.
 
The Rams tacked on three runs in the bottom of the second with back-to-back triples from Notarangelo and Moroney.
 
The teams battled through a quiet six innings. With just one frame around the corner, the momentum shifted to favor the Pios as Mitch Hawkins secured back-to-back strikeouts.
 
As the leadoff guy in the ninth, McGuire worked a four-pitch walk. With an out and two runners on, Ronan Donahue came in the game to DH and singled through the left side to plate McGuire. Pinch hitting, Steak Newman secured a two-RBI single to tie the score at four. Link sealed the deal for the Pios with a bunt single, scoring pinch runner Drew Martin.
 
PJ Rogan came into the game in the bottom of the ninth to secure the save. The switch pitcher tallied back-to-back strikeouts and stranded two Rams with a ground out.
 
The Pioneers will face Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponent Mount Saint Mary's for a weekend series in Maryland, beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m.