BRISTOL, R.I.- Led by a one-hit shutout from junior Dan Roberge, the third-seeded Roger Williams University baseball team defeated seventh-seeded Nichols, 3-0, in an elimination round game of the 2009 The Commonwealth Coast Conference Baseball Championship Friday.

The Hawks (19-18-1) led from the first pitch of their half of the first inning, which junior Grant Bolin sent sailing over the left field fence for a quick 1-0 lead in what would turn into a strong defensive game for both teams. Roberge earned the win, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out four. Nichols junior Joseph Atchue (Grafton, Mass.) pitched eight innings, allowing seven hits, two walks and striking out two.  

After Bolin's dinger, the teams remained scoreless into the seventh inning with Nichols recording its only hit of the game when sophomore Austin Martin (Wakefield, R.I.) singled up the middle in the fifth inning. The Hawks turned a double play on the next batter before a fly ball to senior Jamie Dahill in centerfield ended the inning.

Nichols' only other man on base in the game was in the third inning when freshman Dan Smith (Verona, N.J.) walked after working the count full. Three pitches later, Roberge picked him off at first. On the next pitch, Nichols junior Cale LaCasse (Killingly, Conn.) hit a hard grounder destined for right field before Hawks second baseman senior Bill Lambert made a diving stab and quick throw to end the inning.

RWU rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning after sophomore Stephen McKernan walked and Lambert singled on a bunt past the pitcher towards an empty right side. A passed ball moved the runners ahead before Bolin hit another deep shot to centerfield – this time caught for a sacrifice fly. Freshman Tim Georgen hit another sac fly to right field to score Lambert and put RWU ahead, 3-0.

Three Nichols groundouts in the eighth and Roberge finished the game with another 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, striking out the final batter to end the game.

The loss ended Nichols' season with a final record of 17-20. The Hawks (19-18-1) advance in the TCCC tournament, traveling to #2 Western New England College Saturday for a must-win game scheduled for 10 a.m. A win for the Hawks and the contest becomes a doubleheader with the winner advancing to the TCCC Championship game, Sunday, at 1 p.m.

Story courtesy Roger Williams Athletics

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