Providence, R.I.—Sophomore left fielder Daniel Cascio (East Hampton, Conn.) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a home run as Rhode Island College opened Little East play with a 9-7 win over Keene State at Pontarelli Field on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 9, Keene State 7
Rhode Island College (9-3, 1-0 LEC)
Keene State (4-11, 0-1 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchormen evened the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the third on a junior first baseman Daniel Trzepacz (Mont Vernon, N.H.) two-run homer and an RBI single from senior shortstop Izaiah Rivera (Pawtucket, R.I.).
 
• Cascio put RIC on top for good with a two-run blast in the fifth.
 
• RIC increased its advantage to 9-5 with two runs in both the sixth and seventh frames. Senior right fielder Sean Helfrich (Saunderstown, R.I.) knocked in two with a single in the sixth.
 
• The Owls pulled within two and had the tying runners on second and third with two down in the ninth, but RIC junior closer Harrison Mansfield (Uxbridge, Mass.) got a strikeout to end the ball game. Senior center fielder Justin Wardwell (Westport, Mass.) made a diving grab with one down and two aboard earlier in the frame to preserve the win.
 
• Trzepacz went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a homer. Helfrich went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play game two of its Little East twinbill with the Owls (3:20 p.m.).