The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Keri Castro Pitcher Ken Graveline throws the ball with a strong arm during yesterday's game against Bryant University.

04/08/09 - The University of Rhode Island baseball team hosted its third home game of the season yesterday and could not fight off a pesky Bryant University team, falling 5-1.

Bryant starter Eric Polvani put in a stellar performance, going the distance while striking out nine and allowing only one run.

Sophomore Ken Graveline got the start for Rhody and lasted five innings, giving up five runs on eight hits.

"It was a disappointing loss," head coach Jim Foster said. "We've got a lot to play for and Bryant doesn't. They're not in a conference, they're not eligible for postseason competition and we're playing for a lot."

After trading zeros in the first two innings, the Bulldogs broke open the scoring in the top of the third utilizing a bit of small ball.

Bryant's Tim Norton would open the third frame with a single down the left field line and was then advanced to second on a successful sacrifice bunt by Connor Carignan.

With one out and Norton on second, a routine groundball was hit to junior shortstop Luis Chacon. Chacon unsuccessfully attempted to nab Norton at third, leaving both runners safe at the corners.

Bryant's Dylan Stone then laid down a perfect suicide squeeze, allowing Norton to slide safely into home just under the tag of Rhody catcher, freshman Mike Eschmann.

The Rams did not answer back, and both teams would go scoreless until the top of the fifth, when the Bulldogs Pat McKenna sent one deep and out to right field with two outs in the inning. McKenna's shot appeared to be a routine fly until the swirling winds carried it just inside the right field foul pole.

Graveline would quickly rebound, forcing a pop-up to left field to end the inning.

Rhody finally put itself on the board in its half of the fifth, taking advantage of some sloppy Bryant baseball.

After a Rob DeVeney strikeout, redshirt freshman Dan Haverstick sent one up the middle past a diving McKenna. Haverstick then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Bryant catcher Jeff Vigurs. A wild pitch by Polvani allowed Haverstick to score, giving Rhody their only run of the game.

Continued...

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