PROVIDENCE, R.I. (info taken from a Rhode Island College press release) -- The Brandeis University baseball team hit four home runs in a game for the first time in a decade, but the four solo shots weren't enough to overcome a cycle performance from Rhode Island College's Matt Foley as the host Anchormen defeated the Judges, 11-6. RIC (8-4) denied Brandeis (7-11) head coach Pete Varney his 700th career victory in the process.
The Judges' home run barrage came from one player in each class. It was sparked by senior 2B Brian Allen (Salem, N.H./Central Catholic) who went deep for the first time in his career in the third inning. Rookie SS Nick Falkson (Dedham, Mass./Thayer Acad.) hit his second collegiate home run in the sixth. Junior catcher Connor Doyle (Avon, Conn./Avon Old Farms) went deep in the seventh, while sophomore outfielder Ryan Tettemer (Westfield, Mass./Thayer Acad.) led off the ninth with a blast. It was the first career round tripper for both. The four home runs in a game were the most by a Brandeis team since 2005.
Brandeis had to play catch-up, as the Anchormen scored three runs in the home half of the first. Junior shortstop Ryan O'Dell reached first on what should have been a routine double play to end the inning. O'Dell and freshman center fielder Brad Douglas moved to second and third respectively following a balk. Foley would drive in the runs with a triple, then scored on a wild pitch to give RIC the 3-0 lead following one.
The Anchormen scored two more in the bottom of the second to take a 5-0 advantage. Allen got Brandeis into it with his homer in the top of the third. RIC responded; scoring two runs in both the bottom of the third and the bottom of the fifth to take the commanding 9-1 advantage after five.
RIC scored 11 runs on 12 hits with Foley's cycle leading the way. The Anchormen pitching staff was solid, holding Brandeis to six runs on their 11 hits. Freshman righty Dan Greaves picked up the win, tossing two innings of four hit ball while fanning four batters.
Brandeis junior righty Sam Miller (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) picked up the loss; going 2 2/3 innings and giving up seven runs, four of those earned. He falls to 3-2 on the season.
The Judges are scheduled to try to get coach Varney his 700th career win on Saturday at 12:30 with a doubleheader against Tufts.