Baseball returns to Rhode Island for home opener Thursday following solid spring showing
March 22, 2023
The Community College of Rhode Island baseball team hosts Quincy College this Thursday, March 23 in its 2023 home opener following an encouraging week-long trip to Myrtle Beach for Spring Break.
The Knights played nine games in five days and finished 2-7 on the trip, which included games against Division II schools SUNY Sullivan, Sussex County, and County College of Morris. First pitch Thursday in Warwick is 3:30 pm; the Knights then travel to Quincy for a Saturday doubleheader beginning at noon.
Several players stood out during the first week of play in Myrtle Beach. Sophomore outfielder Sam Laurie (Narragansett, RI) batted .533 in five games with three RBIs and five stolen bases while fellow sophomore outfielder Dylan Barlow (Warwick, RI) batted .500, scored three times and reached base five times in four games. Sophomore infield Caleb Harris (Cranston, RI) drove in a team-best four runs in five games and freshman infielder Zak Thomas (North Providence, RI) scored four runs and batted .438 over five games.
Sophomore pitcher Brock Bruneau (Ontario, Canada) earned a win during the road trip, allowing one earned run over four innings in the Knights’ 18-8 victory over Montgomery County on March 15. Harris and Laurie combined for seven RBI in the win while freshman third baseman Noah Cook (Cranston, RI) scored three runs and drew four walks.
In his second season as head coach, Joe Hopkins is looking to build off the late-season success of the 2022 team. The Knights finished 10-21 last year, but advanced to the finals of the NJCAA Division III Region XXI Championships against Northern Essex after sweeping a consolation bracket doubleheader against rivals Quinsigamond and Massasoit.