Knights Clean Out Cougars in Doubleheader 9-3 & 10-1!

04.08.19

Warwick, R.I. – April 8, 2019: The CCRI Knights baseball team hosted the Holyoke Community College Cougars for a Saturday doubleheader. A strong performance in both games paved a smooth path for the Knights as they cruised to 9-3 and 10-1 wins. The victories improve CCRI's season record to 10-8 overall, 7-1 in Region XXI play and 6-1 in League play.

Game 1: CCRI – 9 Holyoke – 3 (7 Innings)

The first game of the doubleheader started quickly for the Knights as they scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take the 2-0 lead. Freshman Anthony Ramos (Cranston, RI) took first base after being hit by a pitch. Sophomore co-captain Nick D'Ambra (Coventry, RI) came to the plate and launched the ball over the right field fence for a two-run homer.

Holyoke would score one run in the top of the second which CCRI answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to grow the lead to 5-1. Sophomore Jacob Frost (Cranston, RI) got things started with a single through the left side of the infield and later stole second to get into scoring position. Anthony Ramos hit the ball through the left side of the infield, bringing Frost around to score the third run for the Knights. Nick D'Ambra batted in his third run of the game with a single up the right side of the infield to score Ramos from second base. The third and final run of the second inning was scored when Sophomore co-captain Zack Odsen (Providence, RI) flew out for a sacrifice-fly to right field to score D'Ambra from third.

CCRI scored a single run in the third inning to take a 6-1 lead. Sophomore Joey Barter (Coventry, RI) started off the inning with a double to left field and was later brought in from third base by Jacob Frost.

Holyoke scored a single run in the fourth inning with the Knights countering with one run in the fifth, now holding a 7-2 lead. Sophomore Justin Brown (Wallingford, CT) led off and reached after being hit by a pitch. A failed pick-off attempt brought Brown to third and he later scored from sophomore Ray Aponte (East Providence, RI) hitting a single to right field.

The Knights scored two more runs in the sixth inning to take a 9-2 lead. CCRI had a man on first and third when Justin Brown sent the ball to left field scoring both runners in Anthony Ramos and Zack Odsen. Holyoke would score another run in the top of the seventh but it proved to be insignificant as CCRI would finish the game winners 9-3 in seven innings.

Pitching the complete game for the Knights was sophomore Zack D'Andrea (Warwick, RI). D'Andrea threw seven innings, allowing eight hits and three runs with four strikeouts. His strong performance opened up the game for the offense to take control.

That CCRI offense was led by Nick D'Ambra who went 3-4, a homerun and two singles with three RBI and two runs scored. Anthony Ramos continued his high levels in game one as he batted 2-3, three singles with three runs scored, one RBI and one stolen base. Justin Brown went 1-2, a double with two RBI and a run scored. Zack Odsen was 1-2 with a single, one RBI and one run scored. Jacob Frost ended game one 1-3 with a single, one RBI, one run scored and a stolen base. Ray Aponte batted 1-3, a single with a stolen base and an RBI. Joey Barter finished 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Sophomore Kyle McCann (Coventry, RI) rounded off the offense going 1-3 with a single.

Game 2: CCRI – 10 Holyoke – 1 (7 Innings)

Game two of the doubleheader, the CCRI offense continued to produce from the plate. A single run was scored for the Knights in the first inning as Anthony Ramos led off with a triple hit just inches too high for the left fielder to deal with. Sloppiness on the relay gave Ramos an opening and his speed took care of the rest as he flew on all the way back to the plate.

Holyoke would score their lone run in the third inning, tying the game up at 1-1. CCRI responded with three runs in the third inning off the bat of Zack Odsen. Anthony Ramos reached on a walk and was joined by Nick D'Ambra from a single up the right side. Odsen then hoisted the ball high over the left field fence for a three-run homerun to give the Knights a 4-1 lead.

CCRI would strike again in the sixth inning, scoring six runs and taking a definitive 10-1 lead. Freshman James Pederson (Westerly, RI) got things rolling with a three-run double to center field, scoring freshman Adrian Duran (Providence, RI), freshman Stewart Kay (Bristol RI) and Ray Aponte. Pederson was moved over to third base by Anthony Ramos and later scored off an outfielder error. Nick D'Ambra batted in the fifth run of the inning, scoring Ramos from second on a double to left field. The sixth and final run of the inning was scored when D'Ambra was brought home by Zack Odsen's single to left field which gave CCRI a solid 10-1 lead which they would hold and win the game in seven innings by that 10-1 score line.

The standout for game two of the doubleheader was freshman pitcher Ben Sears (East Providence, RI) who threw the complete seven inning game. Sears faced 28 batters, sending 15 away via strikeout. He allowed just four hits and conceded one run which was unearned.

The offense was highlighted by Anthony Ramos as he batted 2-3 with a triple and a double, three runs scored and one RBI. Zack Odsen went 2-4 with a homerun and a single, four RBI and a run scored. Nick D'Ambra was 2-4 at the plate with a double and a single, two runs scored and one RBI. James Pederson was 1-3 on the day, a double with three RBI and a run scored.

The Knights will next be in action on Sunday, April 7th at 11:00 am as they face off with Eastern Connecticut College in Windham, CT for a doubleheader.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 15,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.