BRISTOL, RI – The woes continued for the Roger Williams University Baseball team as they suffered a 3-2 loss to Saint Joseph's College in their home opener Friday afternoon, extending the skid to five straight.

Saint Joseph's scored early in the game, getting one in the second and two in the third to establish a 3-0 lead. Sophomore third baseman Lincoln Sanborn (Standish, Maine) scored in the second on an RBI single by Brandon Chase (Naples, Maine). Freshman catcher Joe Coyne (Duxbury, Mass.) and junior first baseman Mike Pratt (Dartmouth, Mass.) would come around later in the third inning.

After being held in check most of the game, Roger Williams made a valiant comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning. Junior Tony Trafecanty (Franklin, Mass.) launched a fly ball into deep left field for a two-out double, bringing home sophomore left fielder Mike Pascarella (Milford, Conn.) and freshman right fielder Matt Jefferis (Cheshire, Conn.) from second and base cutting the lead to 3-2.

Coming up to the plate after Trafecanty was Eric Bransfield (Lynn, Mass.), who knocked a single into right field. Tom Dwyer (Warwick, R.I.), pinch running for Trafecanty, rounded third and looked like he was about to score the game-tying run. Yet Alex Lorenc (Nanuet, N.Y.) fired in a one-hopper to Willie Brown (Fayette, Maine) at the plate, making the play at home and keeping Dwyer from scoring.

Monks relief pitcher Nick Whittaker (Yarmouth, Maine) took over in the ninth inning and only allowed a two-out single before inducing a fly-out to left, closing the door on the Hawks for the save.

Junior right handed pitcher Chad Rafferty had eight strikeouts while allowing seven hits and two runs in eight innings for the Monks, who improved to 9-1 on the season. Lorenc went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Coyne was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Bryan Motta (Dighton, Mass.) took the loss, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing three runs with four strikeouts. Trafecanty was 2-for-4 with two RBI, with Jefferis and Chris Travers (East Freetown, Mass.) each adding two hits.

Roger Williams will look to end the losing streak as they play their first Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader Saturday against Wentworth. Saint Joseph's College will head down to New Jersey City for a three-game weekend.

COURTESY OF ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION