Fort Myers, Fla.—Senior designated hitter Cole Podedworny (Wakefield, R.I.) went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI as Rhode Island College opened the 2024 season with an 8-3 win vs. Bluffton at the Gene Cusic Classic on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 8, Bluffton 3
Rhode Island College (1-0)
Bluffton (2-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Anchormen plated three runs in the third and two in both the fourth and fifth frames to build a 7-0 advantage.
 
• Podedworny doubled in a pair, while senior shortstop Izaiah Rivera (Pawtucket, R.I.) singled in a run in the third.
 
• Podedworny added a sacrifice fly in the fourth and an RBI single in the fifth.
 
• Junior Liam Dailey (Franklin, Mass.) earned the win (1-0), allowing just two earned runs on two hits, to go along with three strikeouts, in seven innings of work.
 
• Senior left fielder Justin Wardwell (Westport, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore center fielder Lucas McElroy (Westport, Mass.) went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at doubleheader vs. Otterbein at the Gene Cusic Classic on Saturday, March 9 (9 a.m.).