PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle baseball team couldn't recover from an early deficit in a 6-0 loss to the Rhode Island Rams in the series opener at Hank DeVincent Field on Thursday afternoon.
 
Ryan Wanner and Jared Mattera combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Explorers. Wanner picked up the final out in the 6^th and worked through the 8^th before Jared Mattera recorded a 1-2-3 9^th inning.
 
The Rams got to La Salle starter Jordan Meyer for three runs in the 1^st inning before adding two in the 5^th and another in the 6^th. Meyer was charged with all six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out four.
 
The Explorers couldn't solve URI's Tyler Wilson (W, 11-1), who hurled seven shutout innings to earn the win. The lefty allowed just one hit and three walks while striking out nine.
 
The two teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. on Friday. The Senior Day ceremony will take place on the field in between games.