PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — Christian Butera’s two-run homer in the second inning erased an early deficit and Alex Benevento’s solo shot in the fifth proved to be the decisive run as the Brown Bears edged the Rhode Island Rams 3-2 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Murray Stadium.

The game was a pitcher’s duel defined by dominant starting performances and key late-inning escapes, handing Rhode Island its 12th consecutive loss to open the season. Brown improved to 3-5.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the score tied 2-2 and two outs, Brown right fielder Alex Benevento stepped in against Rhode Island starter Joe Sabbath. On the mound, Sabbath was in the midst of a bizarre and effective outing, having allowed no hits through four and two-thirds innings but was responsible for three earned runs due to walks and hit batters. Benevento ended the no-hit bid and broke the tie in one swing, launching a solo home run to left field to put the Bears ahead 3-2. The homer was the second and final hit Sabbath would allow, but it was enough to saddle him with the loss.

Brown’s victory was anchored by starter Peter Dubie, who delivered the top performance of the day. The right-hander stifled the Rams over five strong innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out nine. He worked out of a jam in the fourth after Rhode Island tied the game, and his nine strikeouts set a commanding tone for the Bears’ staff.

Rhode Island struck first without a hit in the opening inning. Reece Moroney singled and later scored from second when Brown catcher Mark Henshon committed a throwing error on a third strike that allowed the batter to reach. The Rams added another in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Jack Hopko delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Michael Hindle, who had walked and stolen second.

Brown’s initial response came in the second off Sabbath. After a one-out single by Henshon, first baseman Christian Butera connected for a two-run homer to left field, giving the Bears a 2-1 lead they held until the Rams’ fourth-inning rally.

Following Dubie’s departure, the Brown bullpen navigated significant traffic to preserve the one-run lead. Matt Wilmarth allowed two hits in the sixth but struck out Anthony Grotyohann to strand two runners. Brenden Kline worked a scoreless seventh, and Christian Keel earned the save with two tense innings. In the ninth, Rhode Island mounted a final threat. Dean King led off with a double and scored on a two-out RBI double by Moroney, cutting the deficit to one. With the tying run on second, Keel struck out Hindle looking to end the game.

Sam Houchens provided three perfect innings of relief for Rhode Island, striking out four, but the Rams’ offense could not complete the comeback. Both teams finished with seven hits. Moroney and Hopko each had two hits and an RBI for Rhode Island.

The loss extends a difficult start for the Rams, who are now 0-12. Brown looks to carry momentum into the second game of the doubleheader later Saturday.