Baseball Rolls Past Rhode Island College at Home on Saturday, 13–3

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) baseball team continued its perfect start to the 2026 season, taking down Rhode Island College (RIC), 13-3, Saturday afternoon at the USJ Baseball Field in West Hartford, Conn. With the result, the Blue Jays move to 2-0 overall on the young season, while the Anchormen open their campaign at 0-1 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• RIC would take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Blue Jays would immediately respond and take the lead back in the bottom half of the frame. A passed ball allowed junior outfielder Joseph Fritz (Tampa, Fla.) to score and even the game at one, followed by an RBI groundout from freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) that scored senior infielder JJ Fox (Killingworth, Conn.), giving the Blue Jays the 2-1 advantage.
• USJ extended the lead in the bottom of the second when Fox ripped an RBI double to center field, scoring senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) to make it 3-1.
• The Blue Jays broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) and sophomore infielder Alex Zimmerman (Middle Haddam, Conn.) each delivered RBI doubles as part of the rally, pushing the lead to 7-1.  
• Scalia added a two-run single to left in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Fox and Fritz to  give USJ a commanding 10-1 lead.
• RIC trimmed the deficit with two runs in the top of the sixth to make it 10-3, but the Blue Jays responded in the bottom half of the inning. Fritz and sophomore catcher Jack Kushman (Southington, Conn.) each drove in a run with RBI singles to extend the lead to 12-3.
• S. Balducci added an RBI single in the eighth inning as USJ secured its second straight victory to begin the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Junior left-handed pitcher Ethan Slowik (Greenville, N.Y. ) got the start on the mound for the Blue Jays, tossing five innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits and striking out five.
• Scalia paced the team at the plate, reaching base four times and driving in four runs.
• Senior pitcher Evan Gilgenbach (Griswold, Conn.) along with junior pitchers Kaden Murphy (Woodstock, Conn.) and Zach Thielen (Brooklyn, N.Y.) combined for three scoreless innings in relief to close out the win.
• All nine USJ starters recorded at least one hit.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays continue a three-game homestand to start the 2026 season, welcoming Nichols College to USJ Baseball Field on Wednesday, March 4. First pitch against the Bison is slated for 2:30 p.m.

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays