Providence, R.I.—Freshman designated hitter John Willette (Johnston, R.I.) went 4-for-9 with three runs scored, a double, a grand slam and seven RBI as the Rhode Island College baseball team swept a doubleheader, 12-3; 14-7, from New England College on Friday afternoon at Pontarelli Field.
 
THE BASICS
Game One: Rhode Island College 12, New England College 3
Game Two: Rhode Island College 14, New England College 7
Rhode Island College (3-3)
New England College (1-7)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One:
• NEC took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by senior center fielder BJ Minarcin (Naples, Fla.). Sophomore second baseman Devin Parson (Salisbury, MA) contributed in RBI single and freshman shortstop Logan Gadbois (Rochester, N.H.) chipped in with an RBI fielder's choice to stake the Pilgrims to a 3-0 lead after two innings.
 
• RIC got a run back in the second on an RBI double by sophomore left fielder Joey Coro (North Providence, R.I.).
 
• Anchorman sophomore starter Connor Davey (Cheshire, Conn.) settled into a nice groove and kept the Pilgrims from adding any further runs.
 
• Willette keyed a four-run fourth with a two-run single to put RIC on top, 4-3, and helped put the game out of reach with a massive grand slam to left field in the fifth.
 
• Freshman center fielder Cameron Santerre (Bristol, R.I.) had an RBI double as part of a two-run sixth.
 
• Davey earned the win (1-0), allowing three runs on six hits and struck out five in 4.0 innings. Junior reliever Shaun Gamelin (West Kingston, R.I.) earned the save (1-0), throwing a dominant three innings without allowing a hit and notching seven punchouts.
 
• NEC senior starter Joe Pascucci (Wayne, N.J.) took the loss (0-2).
 
Game Two:
• After falling behind, 1-0 in the top of the first, RIC put across four runs in the bottom of the frame as Willette and sophomore catcher Alex Martinez (Cranston, R.I.) each smacked RBI doubles.
 
• The hosts plated three runners in the fourth, paced by an RBI double by senior second baseman Nate Vigeant (Coventry, R.I.).
 
• A six-run sixth, highlighted by a two-run double by sophomore first baseman Jarrad Grossguth (Coventry, R.I.) staked the Anchormen to a 13-3 advantage.
 
• The Pilgrims made it interesting, plating four runs in the top of the ninth before freshman reliever Anthony Scivola (Johnston, R.I.) came on to secure the final out.
 
• Senior starter Tyler Shemick (Foster, R.I.) was solid in seven innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits to go along with nine strikeouts, to earn his first win (1-0).
 
• NEC sophomore starter Wyatt Cameron (Salisbury, Vt.) took the loss (0-3).
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• RIC senior third baseman Ray Zincone (West Warwick, R.I.) went 3-for-6 with two runs scored, a double, two RBI and three walks.
 
• Senior shortstop Rommy Morel (Providence, R.I.) went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and an RBI.
 
• Junior right fielder Nick D'Ambra (Coventry, R.I.) went 2-for-5 with four runs scored and three walks.
 
• Minarcin went 3-for-6 with a run scored, a solo homer and two RBI for the visitors.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Mitchell on Wednesday, March 31 (3 p.m.).