The Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship got off to a dramatic start as the top-seeded Saint Joseph's Hawks faced off against fifth-seeded Rhode Island. The Hawks drew first blood with a run in the opening inning, but the Rhode Island offense quickly turned the tide.
Key Moments in the Game
Rhode Island seized the lead in the third inning when Ryan Thompson delivered a timely double, putting the Rams ahead for the first time. The momentum continued to shift in the fifth inning, where a double by Jack Hopko and a home run by Ryan King stretched the Rhode Island advantage to 6-1.
Saint Joseph's answered in the seventh inning, mounting a rally that trimmed the deficit and brought the score to 10-7. The comeback sparked hope among the Hawks' fans, but the Rhode Island bullpen held firm.
The ninth inning proved decisive. Rhode Island exploded for seven runs, effectively sealing the game at 17-9. The Hawks managed two more runs in the same frame, but the damage was already done.
Pitching performances highlighted the contest. Jake Cullen earned the win after allowing just five runs over six and one‑third innings, while Duke McCaron took the loss, surrendering six runs in five innings. Closer Tommy Turner worked two and two‑thirds innings to notch the save.
Offensively, several Hawks posted strong numbers. Joey Gale, Joey Pagano, Jason Janesko and Tim Dickinson each collected two hits, and Alex Kelsey, Pagano and Dickinson drove in two runs apiece. Gale and Pagano also scored twice.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Hawks remain alive in the tournament. They will meet an elimination game on Friday, facing either Richmond, VCU or George Mason. The outcome of that matchup will determine whether Saint Joseph's can stage a deeper run in the championship.