Mansfield, Conn.—Sophomore left fielder Jarrad Grossguth (Coventry, R.I.) went 3-for-8 with three runs scored, two homers and seven RBI as Rhode Island College spilt a doubleheader with Eastern Connecticut at Pontarelli Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Game One: Rhode Island College 9, Eastern Connecticut 6
Game Two: Eastern Connecticut 7, Rhode Island College 4
Eastern Connecticut (15-2)
Rhode Island College (6-8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One:
• The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on senior third baseman Luke Broadhurst's (Stafford, Conn.) RBI single.
 
• The Anchormen answered back with a pair in the home half of the frame on freshman designated hitter Cole Podedworny's (Wakefield, R.I.) two-run triple.
 
• The visitors tied the game in the fifth on freshman right fielder Jason Claiborn's (Prospect, Conn.) RBI single.
 
• Grossguth broke the game open with a grand slam (1) in the fifth and then walked with the bases loaded in the sixth to give RIC a 7-2 advantage.
 
• Broadhurst bashed a solo homer (3) in the eighth, but RIC got two back on senior third baseman Ray Zincone's (West Warwick, R.I.) two-run double in the home half of the frame.
 
• Zincone's hit proved to be pivotal as the Warriors plated three in the top of the ninth on senior left fielder John Mesagno's (Tappan, N.Y.) three-run homer (2) before junior right Shaun Gamelin (West Kingston. R.I.) got the final out to secure the win.
 
• RIC freshman starter Seth Daly (Riverside, R.I.) earned the win (1-1), allowing just three runs on eight hits over 7.1 innings.
 
• Eastern senior reliever John Parker (Brunswick, Maine) took the loss (0-1).
 
• Grossguth went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, a homer and five RBI, while Mesagno went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a homer and three RBI.
 
Game Two:
• Eastern scored in the top of the second on junior first baseman Dean Slavin's (Tappan, N.Y.) RBI single.  
 
• Broadhurst singled in a run in the third for the Warriors.
 
• Zincone made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, but the Warriors put two across in the fifth as Broadhurst and junior catcher Matt Malcom (East Lyme, Conn.) each had RBI singles.
 
• RIC tied it, 4-4, in the sixth as freshman center fielder Cameron Santerre (Bristol, R.I.) homered (2) and Grossguth bashed a two-run shot (2).
 
• Broadhurst had a sacrifice fly and Eastern plated another run on a RIC error in the seventh, and then added an insurance run in the ninth to salvage the split.
 
• Freshman reliever Matt Wootton (Milford, Conn.) earned the win (1-0) and sophomore Nathan Furino (East Haven, Conn.) picked up the save (2).
 
• RIC freshman reliever Andrew Sears (West Warwick, R.I.) took the loss (0-2).
 
• Broadhurst went 2-for-3 with a run scored, three RBI and a homer. RIC junior right fielder Nick D'Ambra (Coventry, R.I.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• Santerre went 3-for-7 with three runs scored, a homer and one RBI in the twinbill. D'Ambra went 3-for-8 with three runs scored and a double.
 
• Broadhurst led Eastern, going 4-for-8 with two runs scored, a homer and five RBI on the day.  Mesagno went 4-for-8 with four runs scored, two doubles, a homer and three RBI.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East play at home vs. UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, April 13 (3:30 p.m.).