CCRI scores three in the eighth to beat MCC 6-3

WEST WARWICK, RI – (April 14, 2009) CC of Rhode Island scored three times in the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie, beating MCC 6-3 Tuesday afternoon in West Warwick, RI.

Dave Alexander (Torrington) hit his team leading fifth homer with two runners aboard in the sixth to erase a 3-0 CCRI lead. MCC starter Steve Simon (Middlefield) scattered five hits over seven innings with nine strikeouts and just one walk.

“He dealt,” MCC Coach Chris Strahowski said of his emerging ace. The right hander is 3-0 with 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings so far in 2009. “He was virtually ahead of every batter all day.”

Peter Burgio (Bolton) was 2 for 3 with a double, run scored and stolen base for the Cougars (11-11-1). Herb Coggeshall (Coventry) was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

“We hit the ball well,” Strahowski said of his team’s nine hit attack. “We just didn’t hit in situations”

Stefan Wagner greeted reliever Ryan Carroll (Newington) with a solo home run in the eighth and the Knights added two more before Matt Thadeio finished off the game with a ninth inning save.

CCRI (19-5) has won five straight since a 14-12 loss in Manchester last Thursday and have won 15 of 16 dating back to March 22nd. CCRI took the season series from MCC 2-1.

CC Rhode Island 6 Manchester Community College 3

at West Warwick, RI

Manchester CC 000 003 000—– 3 9 4
CC Rhode Island 000 300 03X —– 6 7 0
M: Steve Simon, Ryan Carroll (8) and A. J. Lowers CCR: Colin McMaster, Corey McDonald (6), Matt Thadeio (9) and Joe Comella WP: McDonald LP: Carroll; SV: Thadeio Records: M: 11-11-1, CCR:19-5 HR: M: Alexander, CCR: Stefan Wagner