NEWS

 

DAVIDSON — A pinch-hit, two-run, ninth-inning home run by Rhode Island’s Connor Grotyohann propelled the Rams past Davidson 8-6 in Sunday’s Atlantic 10 series finale at Wilson Field.

With the loss, the Wildcats fell to 19-27 overall and 5-13 in A-10 play, while the Rams (16-25) improved to 8-10 in the league.

Grotyohann’s shot to center field broke a 6-6 tie in a game that had numerous momentum-shifting turns, including Chris Schuchart’s go-ahead double in the bottom of the seventh, which put the Wildcats up 6-5.

Unfortunately for Davidson, though, what appeared to have the makings of a multi-run seventh ended with an unusual 135 double play that began when Nick Calero’s hard-hit liner deflected off Rams pitcher Joe Sabbath.

Down 2-0 early, Davidson kept itself in the game by forcing the Rams to leave the bases loaded in the first and second innings. Noah Jouras’ two-RBI single in the second then tied it at 2-2.

After the Rams pulled ahead 5-2, the Wildcats again climbed back even with three runs in the fourth. That included a Jouras RBI-single and Jacob Friend’s towering, two-run home run to right, his 10th of the year.

The Wildcats utilized five pitchers, including starter Brycen Champey, who threw the first 1.2 innings.

Adam Katz was the most effective, throwing three scoreless, hitless innings and striking out three.

Up Next
It’s all A-10 play from here, and the Wildcats will host St. Bonaventure for three games, beginning Thursday, May 9.