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PHILADELPHIA – The Explorer bullpen retired the last 13 Rams it faced in a 3-2 victory over Rhode Island on a rainy Friday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field. Starting pitcher Shane Hollman earned his third win of the year, tossing fine innings of two-run ball while striking out two and scattering six hits.

Rhode Island (4-17, 0-4 A-10) got both their runs in the first inning, capitalizing on a pair of two out doubles to open up a 2-0 lead. Hollman settled in and was able to work four clean frames before passing the baton to the bullpen.

La Salle (5-18, 2-2 A-10) got both those runs back in the bottom of the second. Justin Korenblatt (2-4, RBI, R) led off the inning with a three-bagger to left center and was knocked home by Kevin Conroy (1-4, RBI, R), who inside-outed a pitch through the right side. Conroy later touched home when Ryan Welling (0-3, RBI) punched an RBI groundout.

The Explorers added the go-ahead run in the fifth by capitalizing on back-to-back-back two out singles by George Smith Jr (1-3, R, BB), Mark Williams (1-4), and Korenblatt. Korenblatt was thrown out trying to stretch his knock into a double but the damage had already been done.

Brian Maher, Tom Fazzini, and Adam Cherry each posted goose eggs on the board before Shawn O'Neill slammed the door shut in the ninth with his second save of the season. The game ended with a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab by Smith Jr beneath the 450 sign in center field.

La Salle outhit the visitors 8-6 in the two-hour ballgame that saw no team make a fielding error. The clubs will go at it again tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.