SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — The Merrimack Warriors used a committee of seven pitchers to silence the Rhode Island Rams’ bats for most of the afternoon and held off a late rally for a 5-2 victory Wednesday at Bill Beck Field.

The Warriors, who entered the game with a season record of 14-19, defied pregame projections that heavily favored the Rams. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Rhode Island win with a 67.4% probability and a final score of 6-3.

Merrimack’s pitching strategy was the story, as six relievers combined for 8 1/3 scoreless innings after starter Zach Broderick allowed one run in the fifth. The bullpen parade began in the second inning with Bobby Loper and continued with Campbell Cassidy, James Nichols, Henry Hebert, Owen Zadrozny and Cole Yennaco. That group allowed just three hits and three walks while striking out six, effectively neutralizing the Rams’ lineup outside of first baseman Ryan Thompson.

The Warriors built their lead with single runs in the first and second innings. In the first, Brooks Craigue singled, advanced on a balk and scored on Joey Frammartino’s RBI single. Designated hitter Jack Andrews then led off the second inning with a solo home run to deep left field.

Merrimack extended its advantage to 5-0 with a three-run fifth inning. Cole Yennaco doubled and scored on Matt DeShiro’s RBI double. After a pitching change, Craigue lifted a sacrifice fly to score Nick Koch, who had singled.

Rhode Island’s offense, which managed only six hits, was carried by Thompson. He broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run off Broderick. Thompson finished the day 3 for 3, driving in both Rams runs. His second RBI came in a tense eighth inning, when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

That eighth inning represented the game’s most critical moment and Rhode Island’s best chance to overturn the deficit. The Rams loaded the bases with two outs on two walks and a hit batter against reliever Oliver Barkal. Thompson’s hit-by-pitch brought the tying run to the plate, but pinch-hitter Ryan Henschel struck out swinging to end the threat.

Merrimack turned to Yennaco, who had earlier doubled and walked as a hitter, to pitch the ninth. He allowed a single and a hit batter but induced a game-ending groundout from Ryan King to secure the win and his first save of the season.

Colin Maloney pitched a perfect ninth inning for Rhode Island in a losing effort. The Rams fell to 15-20 on the season.

Merrimack collected nine hits, with Craigue, Koch and DeShiro each recording two. The Warriors’ bullpen dominance, particularly escaping the bases-loaded jam in the eighth, proved decisive in securing the road victory.

Both teams open conference series on Friday. Merrimack travels to face Sacred Heart, while Rhode Island visits Saint Bonaventure.