Mansfield, Conn.--Freshman catcher Lucas Pierce (Chepachet, R.I.) knocked in two runs as No. 2-seeded Rhode Island College defeated No. 5 seeded UMass Dartmouth, 8-6, in game two of the 2022 Little East Baseball Championship, hosted by Eastern Connecticut on Wednesday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
No. 2 Rhode Island College 8, No. 5 UMass Dartmouth 6
Rhode Island College (29-8-1)
UMass Dartmouth (15-22-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC jumped ahead in the first inning after an RBI single from sophomore right fielder Sean Helfrich (Saunderstown, R.I.). Helfrich then got into a run-down, which allowed a run to score, and gave the Anchormen a 2-0 lead.
 
• UMD got those runs back in the top of the third inning due to a wild pitch and an RBI double from senior catcher Zak Souza (Fall River, Mass.).
 
• The Corsairs would strike for two runs in both the top of the fourth and fifth innings. Freshman Chase Pariseas (Warwick, R.I.) had a two-run double in the fifth to give UMD a 6-2 advantage.
 
•The RIC bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning, taking the lead back after a five-run stanza. Pierce singled in two runs by himself, sophomore shortstop Izaiah Rivera (Pawtucket, R.I.) notched an RBI single and the Anchormen scored two more times due to a UMD throwing error. The hosts led by one, 7-6, after six innings.
 
• RIC tacked on an insurance run and called upon junior closer Shaun Gamelin (West Kingston, R.I.), who struck out five of the eight batters he faced, to shut the door on the Corsairs and advance in the tourney.
 
• Graduate pitcher Brenden Aldridge (Pawtucket, R.I.) earned the victory, tossing 1.2 perfect innings in relief (1-0). Gamelin earned his third save of the year.
 
• UMD graduate pitcher Logan Maitland (Tiverton, R.I.) took the loss (0-1).
 
• Pierce went 1-for-2 with a walk and a pair of RBI.
 
• Sophomore center fielder Cameron Santerre (Bristol, R.I.) went 2-for-4 and swiped two bags.
 
• As a team, RIC stole six bases and were hit by seven pitches.
 
 WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, No. 2 seeded Rhode Island College will face the winner of No. 4-seeded Southern Maine and No. 3-seeded UMass Boston in game six of the 2022 Little East Championship on Thursday, May 12 (7 p.m.).