KINGSTON, R.I. - University of Rhode Island sophomore right hander Jamie Degidio struck out 11 batters and allowed only three hits in seven innings of work as the Rams defeated Long Island, 4-1, this afternoon in baseball action at Beck Field. The game was shortened to eight innings due to darkness.
Degidio (3-0) picked up his third-straight victory in as many appearances, including a complete-game 5-0 shutout of Iona a week ago (3/14) in which he only allowed two hits. He has compiled a 0.42 ERA and 22 strikeouts in four appearances and 21 2/3 innings pitched this season.
Junior first baseman Ryan Cunningham went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and a RBI as the Rams (9-3) scored a run in each of the first three innings.
In the first inning, sophomore third baseman Shaun Hagey reached on an error and, after stealing second, scored on a RBI single by Cunningham. In the second, senior catcher Josh Nestor led off the inning with a walk and stole second, before scoring after a single by freshman left fielder Ryan Nanni and a fielding error by the LIU shortstop. The third inning saw Cunningham lead off the inning with a double, followed by a RBI single by junior designated hitter Gregg Allen that made the score 3-0.
The Blackbirds (1-10-1) scored their lone run of the game in the fifth inning after Nestor's throw to first after a dropped third strike hit sophomore second baseman Dan Pirillo in the back, allowing freshman left fielder Anthony Antonucci, who had walked and advanced to second on a single by sophomore Bryan Burke to score unearned.
URI added one more run in the seventh after Nestor reached on an infield single and, after advancing to second on a passed ball, scored on a RBI single by sophomore shortstop Mike O'Malley for the 4-1 final score.
The Rams hit the road to take on Sacred Heart, Wednesday (March 22), at 3:00 p.m., before opening their Atlantic 10 slate with three games at Xavier this Friday-Sunday (March 24-26).
