Spring, Baseball

Previewing 2018 Baseball: Rhode Island

Coming off a dispiriting weekend series against Wake Forest—one in which Boston College baseball (12-22, 5-13 Atlantic Coast) managed just one run and nine hits—the Eagles will look to turn things around against New England rival Rhode Island (10-25, 3-9 Atlantic 10). Just three days after BC’s Brighton complex was christened the Harrington Athletics Village, the Eagles will try to snap their current three-game losing streak and begin their climb back to .500.

Who is BC playing?

Rhode Island

When is BC playing?

Tuesday, April 17, 4:30 p.m.

Where is BC playing?

Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields, Brighton, Mass.

How to Watch:

The game will be broadcasted on WZBC Sports Radio.

Probable Pitching Matchup:

RHP Jack Nelson (1-1) vs. RHP Vitaly Jangols (3-4)

By the Numbers:

BC:

1) Chris Galland continues to impress on the base paths. Having not been thrown out all season, the freshman leads the ACC with 25 stolen bases. Galland scored BC’s only run of the Wake Forest series on Sunday.

2) Jake Alu has been a steadying presence for the Eagles this season. He has reached base in 11-straight games.

3) Despite getting the loss on Sunday, Brian Rapp has been one of the Eagles’ best pitchers this season. His 3.55 ERA is the lowest among BC starters.

Rhode Island:

1) The Rams don’t have a single hitter batting over .300. Their leader in batting average is utility man Jackson Coutts, who is hitting .295.

2) Rhode Island’s team ERA of 4.18 is good for seventh in the Atlantic 10.

3) BC will have to be wary of Rhode Island’s aggressiveness on the base paths. The Rams have 57 stolen bases on the year, ranking third in the A-10 in that department.

Last Meeting:

BC last faced the Rams in 2016 in Kingston, R.I. A gem from Brian Rapp and some heads-up baserunning by Jake Palomaki allowed the Eagles to squeak out a close 2-1 win.  

Outlook:

This looks like one of the more manageable games left on BC’s schedule, but spotting easy wins for the Eagles has been difficult in 2018 given that they have struggled with all levels of competition. Nevertheless, they should feel good about their chances against a Rams team that sits near the bottom of the Atlantic 10.

Featured Image by Kaitlin Meeks / Heights Editor

April 17, 2018