WILLIAMSBURG, VA. - Jack Cone provided the fireworks and
Zach Tsakounis and
Carter Lovasz were suburb on the hill in a wire to wire 10-3 dominating win over Rhode Island Friday at Plumeri Park. Tsakounis and Lovasz combined to allow just one run on three hits striking out nine over 7.0 innings and Cone's monster grand slam capped off a six-run seventh inning to secure the Opening Day victory.
Tsakounis started the game and gave the Tribe three innings allowing just one run on a homer in the first while Lovasz made his collegiate debut in dominating fashion allowing one hit and striking out five over 4.0 innings.
Tom Mayer finished things off pitching the eighth and ninth to seal the win.
In the first, after retiring the first two batters with ease, Tsakounis left too much of a ball over the plate for Billy Butler who hit a solo shot over the wall in right to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. But the Tribe would strike back for two in the first as
Ben Williamson led off with a single, followed by a walk from
Jack Cone. Hogarth and Thomas would draw hit by pitches to plate Williamson and Cone scored on a
Mark Trotta sac fly.
In the second, the Tribe would take advantage of an error that allowed
Phil Conti to reach by a pitch as Hogarth ripped a ball into left field to plate the runner and make it a 3-1 game. After scoreless innings from Tsakounis and Lovasz,
Joe Delossantos would lead off the sixth with a bunt single and move to second on Conti's sac bunt, and score on Williamson's second hit a double down the left field line.
Trotta's single to center led off the eventful seventh, followed by walks from
Max Winters and
Tyler Solomon. Conti would reach on a fielder's choice and Williamson would load the bases being hit by a pitch. That would bring up Cone who would drive his first pitch well over the wall in right for a grand slam making it a 10-3 lead.
Rhode Island would score runs in the eighth and ninth, but Mayer shut the door securing the first win of the
Mike McRae era.
The same two teams will conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader beginning at Plumeri Park tomorrow beginning at noon.
