Baseball Topples Rhode Island, Wins Series-Opener

Friday, April 19

Arlington, VA

3 p.m.

George Washington University

22-15, 5-5

Rhode Island

11-20, 4-6

Rhode Island

George Washington

4/19/2024 9:17:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Va. – Behind a strong showing from Jarrett Korson out of the bullpen, the George Washington baseball team topped Rhode Island on Friday evening, 11-6. The Revolutionaries moved to 22-15 on the season and 5-5 in A-10 action.

After starter Teddy Brennan allowed a run in the first inning, GW kickstarted the strong offensive performance with six runs in the home half of the frame. Steve DiTomaso got things started in the inning with an RBI infield single to third base, scoring Jude Clough on the play. The single gave DiTomaso has 268^th career hit, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on GW's all-time hits leaderboard. Later in the inning, Ellis Schwartz singled through the left side to score Brett Young and Robbie Lavey, while McGwire Tuffy finished the frame with a two-RBI double down the left field line. Prior to the contest, Tuffy was honored with the team's annual Jackie Robinson Award. The award is bestowed upon a GW baseball player every April that exhibits the qualities and attribute of the legendary sports hero that famously broke the Major League Baseball color barrier over 75 years ago.

After Rhode Island got a run back in the second inning, GW tallied one of their own via a sacrifice fly from DiTomaso. The run pushed GW's advantage back up to five at 7-2. Later in the third, the Buff & Blue added two more runs to secure its largest advantage of the game at 9-2. Sam Gates extended his on-base streak to 14 games with an RBI single to center field, while Lavey recorded an RBI single to right-center field for GDUB.

Brennan exited for GW following the fourth inning, tossing 100 pitches, and striking out four batters. He allowed three earned runs on four hits in his ninth start of the season. GW turned to Korson out of the pen and he was quickly welcomed with more run support. Nick Mullen singled through the left side in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Schwartz from third and giving GW its 10^th run of the contest.

In Korson's first inning of work he would allow three runs but settled in to throw scoreless frames in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth. Korson tossed 85 pitches in his five total innings, striking out one batter and allowing four hits. During the eighth inning, GW added one more run to its lead, a solo home run from Lavey to right field. The homer was Lavey's third of the season and his second hit of the day.

Offensively, GW was paced by Schwartz who finished a scorching 3-for-5 from the plate with two RBI and two runs. Lavey finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs and two walks, while Tuffy notched a 2-for-4 line with three RBI and a run. DiTomaso finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run, while Gates went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run.

Both teams return to Tucker Field tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. matchup. The contest will serve as GW's Hometown Heroes game and will be streamed live on ESPN+.