A Late‑Inning Rally Secures the Final
Rhode Island clinched a spot in the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship final for the second straight year, edging VCU 5‑4 in a game that swung dramatically in the sixth inning.
The Rams erupted for three runs in that decisive frame, capitalizing on timely hitting and a burst of power that left the Eagles scrambling to respond.
Jack Hopko and Danny Leikus were the catalysts, each launching a home run that contributed to the surge. Hopko finished 2‑for‑4 with a double, a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored, while Leikus went 2‑for‑4 with a homer and three RBIs, driving in a total of three runs.
VCU answered with a solo shot from Nate Kirkpatrick in the same inning, but the Eagles could only muster that single tally. Despite outhitting Rhode Island 9‑7, VCU went 1‑for‑9 with runners in scoring position, leaving several opportunities on the table.
On the mound, reliever Joe Sabbath earned the win after tossing 3 2/3 innings of one‑run baseball, while starter Evan Maloney worked 5 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits. Cooper Campbell took the loss, giving up four runs in his 5 1/3 innings of work.
The performance underscored Rhode Island’s depth; additional contributors such as Hunter Gotschall, Trent Adelman, Dante DeFranco, Teige Lethert, Reece Moroney, Ryan King, Michael Petite and Nick Flores all saw action in a game that highlighted the team’s collective strength.
Looking Ahead
With the championship game on the horizon, Rhode Island will aim to extend its recent dominance, while VCU hopes to rebound from a narrow defeat and claim the title they narrowly missed.