Bulldogs, Rams Set for Afternoon Clash at Beck Field

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — The Bryant Bulldogs and the Rhode Island Rams will meet for the second time this season in a nonconference afternoon game Tuesday at Bill Beck Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 60 degrees.

Bryant (18-14) enters with momentum, having won two of three against Albany over the weekend, including a 15-5 rout Sunday. The Bulldogs also won the previous meeting with Rhode Island this season, 4-2 on March 25.

The Rams (14-19) are looking to build on a 9-6 victory over La Salle on Sunday that snapped a brief skid.

A key matchup will feature Bryant’s hot-hitting Ellis Garcia against a Rhode Island pitching staff coming off a strong outing. Garcia, the Bulldogs’ third baseman, is 7 for 19 (.368) with two home runs and seven RBIs over his last five games. He went 2 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs in Sunday’s win.

Rhode Island will counter with right-hander Evan Maloney, a player to watch out of the bullpen. Maloney has been effective in recent relief appearances, most notably tossing six innings of one-hit, shutout ball with three strikeouts against La Salle on April 12. Over his last three outings, he has allowed just one earned run in 14 innings.

Bryant’s offense, averaging 8.2 runs over its last five games, will test a Rams’ pitching staff that has shown volatility. Rhode Island’s lineup is led by Ryan King, who had three hits, including a homer, and three RBIs on Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a close contest, favoring Rhode Island 6-5.

Following Tuesday’s game, Bryant begins a three-game series against Binghamton at home Friday. Rhode Island hosts Merrimack on Wednesday before opening Atlantic 10 play at Saint Bonaventure this weekend.