Milton, MA - The Curry College baseball team jumped out to a fast start but could not keep pace with a high-powered Rhode Island College offense, falling 20-11 on Thursday afternoon at Jack Vallely Diamond.

Curry wasted no time getting on the board, responding to an early 2-0 deficit with a five-run bottom of the first. RBI hits from Brandon Mantilla-Mercado, Aaron Siegal, and Ryan Murphy highlighted the inning, giving the Colonels a 5-2 advantage after one.

The momentum quickly shifted in the second inning, however, as Rhode Island College struck for six runs. The anchor blow came on a grand slam from Sean Gallagher, putting the visitors back in front 8-5. Curry answered with an RBI single from Joey Kazlauskas in the bottom half, but the Anchormen continued to apply pressure offensively.

Rhode Island College extended its lead with runs in the fourth and a five-run fifth inning, fueled by a three-run home run from Daniel Cascio. The visitors added two more in the sixth and four in the seventh to build a commanding 20-9 lead.

Despite the deficit, Curry continued to battle at the plate. The Colonels plated three runs in the sixth inning behind extra-base hits from Mantilla-Mercado and Jorge Rodriguez, and added two more in the seventh on RBI efforts from Nick Krise and Mantilla-Mercado.

Mantilla-Mercado led Curry offensively with three RBIs, while Siegal and Murphy each drove in a pair. Devin Grove and Jorge Rodriguez also contributed multiple hits as Curry finished with 13 hits on the afternoon.

Rhode Island College was powered by a standout performance from Gallagher, who went 4-for-6 with seven RBIs, including the pivotal grand slam. Parker Camelo added five runs scored and three RBIs, while Cascio chipped in four RBIs of his own.

Up Next: The home stint continues on Saturday afternoon for the Colonels, who host University of Hartford for a pair of CNE games.