2005 Rhode Island Rams baseball team

College baseball team from 2005 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2005 Rhode Island Rams baseball team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 2005 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Rams played their home games at Bill Beck Field as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They were led by head coach Frank Leoni in his thirteenth and final year as manager.

ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
Record34–21 (18–6 A10)
Headcoach
Assistant coaches
  • Jim Foster (1st season)
  • Steven Breitbach (3rd season)
Quick facts Rhode Island Rams baseball, Atlantic 10 regular season championAtlantic 10 East Division championAtlantic 10 tournament champions ...
2005 Rhode Island Rams baseball
Atlantic 10 regular season champion
Atlantic 10 East Division champion
Atlantic 10 tournament champions
NCAA tournament, Long Beach Regional
ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
Record34–21 (18–6 A10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Jim Foster (1st season)
  • Steven Breitbach (3rd season)
Home stadiumBill Beck Field
Seasons
← 2004
2006 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2005 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L T PCTW L T PCT
East
Rhode Island  x‍†‍‡‍y 18–6–0 .75034–21–0 .618
Fordham  ‍‍‍ 17–7–0 .70834–21–0 .618
Massachusetts  ‍‍‍ 9–15–0 .37516–33–0 .327
St. Bonaventure  ‍‍‍ 8–16–0 .33324–25–0 .490
St. Joseph's  ‍‍‍ 8–16–0 .33314–38–0 .269
Temple  ‍‍‍ 8–16–0 .33317–33–0 .340
West
George Washington  x‍‍‍ 17–7–0 .70841–19–0 .683
Dayton  ‍‍‍ 16–8–0 .66736–23–0 .610
Duquesne  ‍‍‍ 13–11–0 .54221–35–0 .375
Richmond  ‍‍‍ 12–12–0 .50022–35–0 .386
La Salle  ‍‍‍ 9–15–0 .37518–34–0 .346
Xavier  ‍‍‍ 9–15–0 .37517–35–0 .327
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 28, 2005[1]
Rankings from D1Baseball
Close

The Rams won the East Division championship, notching a 34–21 (18–6) record.[2] In the 2005 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament, the Rams clinched the top seed, and the bye-round, and defeated sixth-seeded Richmond and second-seeded George Washington in the championship game en route to their first-ever NCAA Division I baseball tournament as a four seed, where they were knocked out in the first round by top seeded Long Beach State and third-seeded Pepperdine.[3] After the conclusion of the tournament, Leoni accepted the job at fellow Atlantic 10 Conference member William & Mary to be the head coach of the Tribe.[4] The Rams would not make another appearance in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament until 2016.[5]

Background Information

The University of Rhode Island opened in 1889, following the Second Morrill Act, an amendment to the pre-existing Land Grant Act.[6] The baseball team was founded in 1898 and began to play on and off throughout the years before finding consistency in 1907.[7] Rhode Island had rarely featured successful teams throughout the years prior to Frank Leoni's hiring as manager in 1993. Leoni was a starter on Rhode Island's baseball team from 1988–1990, playing shortstop for the Rams.[8] When hired in 1993, he was the youngest head coach in modern history of NCAA Division I baseball. He immediately began a winning culture in Rhode Island.

Previous season

The 2004 team finished 35–20–1 (20–4) overall, becoming just the second Atlantic 10 Conference member to win 20 conference games in a season.[7] The top seed overall in the 2004 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament, the Rams lost to fourth-seeded St. Bonaventure in the first round before defeating second-seed St. Bonaventure and third-seeded Richmond in the losers’ bracket before falling to the Bonnies again in the championship game.[2] The Rams failed to clinch an at-large bid into the 2004 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

Preseason

Rhode Island starting pitcher Zach Zuercher was named to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Second-Team All-American list.[9]

More information Player, No. ...
Preseason All-American Second Team.
Player No. Position Class
Zach Zuercher25PJunior
Close

Rhode Island was predicted to win the Atlantic-10 Conference and make their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.[10]

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
2005 Rhode Island Rams baseball team
PlayersCoaches
#Pos.NameB/THeightWeightYearHome town
1 OF Daryl Holcomb L/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jr Wilmington, DE
2 INF Joe Viscuso R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Sr Farmingdale, NY
3 OF Dave Savard R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) So Nashua, NH
4 OF CJ Simons R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Richmond, RI
5 RHP James Norcott R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) So Norton, MA
6 RHP Jamie Delgidio R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Fr Narragansett, RI
8 RHP Steve Holmes R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) So Lincoln, RI
9 INF Wayne Russo R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) RS Jr Warwick, RI
10 RHP Mick Lefort R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So Lincoln, RI
11 INF Mike Rainville L/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr Pawtucket, RI
13 RHP Brett Pulanski R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Fr Nashua, NH
14 INF Tom Venedam R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jr Suffern, NY
16 INF Shaun Hagey L/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Ephrata, PA
17 C Zach Zaneski R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Waterford, CT
18 C Josh Nestor R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jr Nashua, NH
19 RHP Matthew Bruderek R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Fr Norrtion, PA
21 RHP Matt Miranda R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) RS Fr Suffern, NY
22 LHP Mike Harris L/L 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sr Old Bethpage, NY
23 RHP Dan Frederick R/R 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Sr Dracut, MA
24 LHP Adam Perkins L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) RS So Hudson, NH
25 LHP Zach Zuercher L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jr Warwick, RI
26 INF Chris Stelma R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Sr Glenwood, NJ
27 OF Matt Sullivan R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Sr Nashua, NH
28 RHP Gil Pena R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) RS Jr Warwick, RI
29 C Scott Brown L/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) So Portland, ME
30 RHP Dave Lipson R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Norwalk, CT
33 INF Ryan Cunningham R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So Centreville, VA
35 C James Deady R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Cranston, RI
Head coach

7 Frank Leoni

Assistant coach(es)

Jim Foster
Steven Breitbach

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 22, 2024

Close

Season

Regular season

Rhode Island began their season on a rough patch, losing eight out of their first ten games to No. 12 Florida, Maryland, Central Michigan, IPFW, Sacred Heart, Kentucky and Miami (Ohio).[11] The Rams did not capture their first win until March 13, upsetting SEC member Kentucky 7–5. Rhode Island kept their losing skid going throughout the month of March. Once April hit, however, and conference play began, Rhode Island began a tear throughout their schedule. After going 6–11 throughout February and March, Rhode Island went 15–4 throughout the entirety of April, with highlight wins against division rivals Richmond, St. Bonaventure and Temple.[11] They continued their surge, with a commanding 12-game winning streak heading into the month of May. Rhode Island clinched the Atlantic-10 Regular Season title on May 14 with an 8–0 at Massachusetts.[12]

Atlantic 10 Tournament

After finishing 34–21 (and 18–6 in conference), Rhode Island would clinch the number one overall seed in the 2005 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament. The Rams would not look back, defeating #4 seed Dayton 7–4 in the quarterfinals and #6 seeded Richmond 8–3.[2] In a rematch of the Atlantic 10 Championship game from the previous year, Rhode Island would defeat #2 seeded George Washington 9–7 to clinch Rhode Island's first ever NCAA tournament berth in college history.[2][13] Second-baseman Wayne Russo would win the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, after going 7–11 hitting with a .636 batting average, two doubles and three RBIs,[14] and catcher Josh Nestor and outfielders Daryl Holcomb and David Savard would join Russo in the All-Tournament Team, with Nestor making his second straight All-Tournament Team.

More information Atlantic 10 tournament teams, (1) Rhode Island Rams ...
Atlantic 10 tournament teams
(1) Rhode Island Rams (2) George Washington Colonials (3) Fordham Rams (4) Dayton Flyers (5) Duquesne Dukes (6) Richmond Spiders
Close
Upper round 1Upper round 2Upper finalFinal
1Rhode Island7
5Duquesne54Dayton4
4Dayton81Rhode Island8
6Richmond3
2George Washington3
6Richmond4136Richmond10
3Fordham1
1Rhode Island9
2George Washington7
Lower round 1Lower round 2Lower final
5Duquesne9
6Richmond4
3Fordham4
2George Washington42George Washington10
4Dayton2
4Dayton13
5Duquesne9

NCAA Tournament

The Rams clinched the number four seed in the Long Beach Regional, joining number one seeded Long Beach State (hosts of the regional), second-seeded USC and third-seeded Pepperdine in Long Beach.The Rams' first taste of the tournament would be cut short, however, as an 11–2 defeat to Long Beach State in the first round, and a 2–1 walk-off defeat in the sudden death loser's bracket to Pepperdine would eliminate the Rams in the first two days of the tournament.[15] USC would wind up defeating Long Beach State to advance to the Corvallis Super Regional, where they were promptly knocked out by Oregon State, whom clinched a berth to the College World Series.[16] Following the tournament, Frank Leoni accepted the job at conference-rival William & Mary. Jim Foster would promptly be hired by Rhode Island to succeed Leoni.[17]

More information Long Beach Regional teams, (1) Long Beach State Dirtbags ...
Long Beach Regional teams
(1) Long Beach State Dirtbags (2) USC Trojans (3) Pepperdine Waves (4) Rhode Island Rams
Close
First round Second round Regional finals Super regionals
               
1 Oregon State 4
4 Ohio State 3
1 Oregon State 11
3 St. John's 1
3 St. John's 5
2 Virginia 3
1 Oregon State 19 —
Corvallis Regional–Goss Stadium
3 St. John's 3 —
4 Ohio State 2
2 Virginia 1
4 Ohio State 1
3 St. John's 11
8 Oregon State 10 8 10
Southern California 4 9 8
1 Long Beach State 11
4 Rhode Island 2
1 Long Beach State 4
2 Southern California 6
3 Pepperdine 3
2 Southern California 7
2 Southern California 2 5
Long Beach Regional–Blair Field
3 Pepperdine 9 2
4 Rhode Island 1
3 Pepperdine 2
3 Pepperdine 6
1 Long Beach State 3

Game log

More information Regular Season (31–19), Date ...
2005 Rhode Island Rams baseball game log (34–21)
Regular Season (31–19)
February (0–2)
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallA10Sources
February 25at No. 12 Florida*Condron Ballpark
Gainesville, Florida		L 4–5Horne (1–0)Frederick (0–1)—0–1—
February 26at No. 12 Florida*Condron BallparkL 0–6Ball (2–0)Zuercher (0–1)—0–2—
February 27at No. 12 Florida*Condron BallparkCanceled (Inclement weather)0–2—
March (5–9)
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallA10Sources
March 5at Maryland*Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium
College Park, Maryland		Canceled (Inclement weather)0–2—
March 6at Maryland*Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium0–2—
March 11Central Michigan*IMG Academy Park
Bradenton, Florida		L 1–5Cairns (2–1)Pina (0–1)Pung (2)0–3—
March 11IPFW*IMG Academy ParkL 2–4Uebelhor (2–1)Holmes (0–1)–0–4—
March 12Sacred Heart*Twin Lakes Park
Sarasota, Florida		L 3–4AldrichNorcott (0–1)Monti0–5—
March 13Kentucky*Robert C. Wynn Baseball Field
Sarasota, Florida		L 5–8Gibson (3–0)Frederick (0–2)—0–6—
March 13Kentucky*Robert C. Wynn Baseball FieldW 7–5Perkins (1–0)Tennyson (3–1)Lefort (1)1–6—
March 14Northern Iowa*IMG Academy FieldL 4–9Westphal (2–1)Palanski (0–1)Westphal (2)1–7—
March 17Fairleigh Dickinson*IMG Academy FieldCanceled (Inclement weather)1–7—
March 18Miami (OH)*Twin Lakes ParkL 2–5Oberschlake (1–0)Zuercher (0–2)Graham (2)1–8—
March 18Miami (OH)*Twin Lakes ParkW 4–2Holmes (1–0)Antoniotti (0–1)Lefort (2)2–8—
March 19Wisconsin-Milwaukee*IMG Academy FieldL 9–12Sorenson (2–2)Venedam (0–1)–2–9—
March 22at LIU Brooklyn*Long Island University Field
Brooklyn, New York		W 7–2Perkins (2–0)Yawger (0–2)Lefort (3)3–8—
March 23Sacred Heart*The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
Bridgeport, Connecticut		Canceled (Inclement weather)3–8—–
March 26at George WashingtonBarcroft Park
Arlington, Virginia		L 3–8Lutz (2–0)Frederick (0–3)—3–100–1
March 26at George WashingtonBarcroft ParkW 6–1Zuercher (1–2)Wilkie (1–2)—4–91–1
March 27at George WashingtonBarcroft ParkW 8–6Venedam (1–1)Brookens (0–1)Lefort (4)5–102–1
March 30Hartford*Bill Beck Field
North Kingston, Rhode Island		W 11–4Perkins (3–0)Krajeski (0–1)–6–102–1
March 31Boston College*Eddie Pellagrini Diamond at John Shea Field
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts		L 3–7Doyle (2–0)Norcott (0–2)Asselin (2)6–112–1
April (16–4)
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallA10Sources
April 3at DaytonTime Warner Cable Stadium
Dayton, Ohio		W 4–1Frederick (1–3)Stammen (4–3)Lefort (5)7–113–1
April 3at DaytonTime Warner Cable StadiumW 7–6Perkins (4–0)Rohren (0–2)Lefort (6)8–114–1
April 4at DaytonTime Warner Cable StadiumL 4–9Lindsay (2–1)Venedam (1–2)–8–124–2
April 6Brown*Bill Beck FieldL 3–8Silverstein (2–1)Norcott (0–3)Moskal (1)8–134–2
April 6Brown*Bill Beck FieldL 5–8Silverman (2–1)Perkins (4–1)—8–144–2
April 9RichmondBill Beck FieldW 10–1Frederick (2–3)Berzinskas (2–4)—9–135–2
April 9RichmondBill Beck FieldW 14–1Zuercher (2–2)Jones (2–2)—10–146–2
April 10RichmondBill Beck FieldW 9–4Holmes (2–1)Duclos (1–1)–11–147–2
April 12Iona*Bill Beck FieldW 14–0Perkins (5–1)Carmody ()–12–147–2
April 13at Fairfield*Alumni Baseball Diamond
Fairfield, Connecticut		W 21–1Norcott (1–3)Gruber ()–13–147–2
April 16at TempleAmbler Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		W 4–2Venedam (2–2)Foulkrod (3–4)Lefort (7)14–148–2
April 16at TempleAmbler FieldL 3–5Weckenman (1–1)Zuercher (2–3)–14–158–3
April 17at TempleAmbler FieldW 11–5Holmes (3–1)Hamilton (0–1)–15–159–3
April 21at Central Connecticut*Balf–Savin Field
New Haven, Connecticut		W 9–3Perkins (6–1)Vitelli (0–3)–16–159–3
April 21at Central Connecticut*Balf–Savin FieldW 14–4Norcott (2–3)Cole (1–2)–17–159–3
April 23St. BonaventureBill Beck FieldW 9–3Frederick (3–3)McCormack ()–18–1510–3
April 24St. BonaventureBill Beck FieldW 9–0Zuercher (3–3)Proctor (3–3)–19–1511–3
April 24St. BonaventureBill Beck FieldW 6–5Lefort (1–0)Pellegrini (1–2)–20–1512–3
April 27at NortheasternParsons Field
Brookline, Massachusetts		Canceled (Inclement weather)20–1512–3–
April 28HarvardBill Beck FieldW 16–1Perkins (7–1)Warren (0–1)–21–1512–3
May (10–4)
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallA10Sources
May 1at Saint Joseph'sLatshaw/McCarthy Field
Camden, New Jersey		W 15–1Frederick (4–3)Hessler (2–5)–22–1513–3
May 1at Saint Joseph'sLatshaw/McCarthy FieldW 1–011Lefort (2–0)Morrison (2–3)–23–1514–3
May 2at Saint Joseph'sLatshaw/McCarthy FieldW 8–4Holmes (4–3)Gilbert (2–3)Venedam (1)24–1515–3
May 3Holy Cross*Bill Beck FieldW 11–3Perkins (8–1)O'Brien (0–2)–25–1515–3
May 5Quinnipiac*Bill Beck FieldW 9–1Norcott (3–3)Keefe (1–2)–26–1515–3
May 8FordhamBill Beck FieldL 0–1Riordan (9–3)Frederick (4–4)–26–1615–4
May 8FordhamBill Beck FieldW 6–3Zuercher (4–3)David (4–4)–27–1616–4
May 9FordhamBill Beck FieldW 7–1Holmes (5–1)Martinez (4–5)–28–1617–4
May 10UConn*Bill Beck FieldW 8–3Perkins (9–1)Sirois (5–5)Norcott (1)29–1617–4
May 14at UMassEarl Lorden Field
Amherst, Massachusetts		L 1–3Torra (5–3)Frederick (4–5)–29–1717–5
May 14at UMassEarl Lorden FieldW 8–0Zuercher (5–3)Demers (1–8)–30–1718–5
May 15at UMassEarl Lorden FieldL 5–614Lloyd (3–0)Perkins (9–2)–30–1818–6
May 21at Army*Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field
West Point, New York		L 5–9Mayhew (5–1)Perkins (9–3)–30–1918–6
May 21at Army*Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field
West Point, New York		W 10–4Holmes (6–1)Kashner (9–3)–31–1918–6
Postseason
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallPostseasonSources
May 26vs. (4) Dayton
Quarterfinals		(1)Fifth Third Field
Dayton, Ohio		W 7–4Frederick (5–5)Trubee (12–3)Lefort (8)32–191–0
May 27at (6) Richmond
Semifinals		(1)Fifth Third FieldW 8–3Zuercher (6–3)Jones (3–4)—33–192–0
May 28at (2) George Washington
Finals		(1)Fifth Third FieldW 9–7Holmes (7–1)Pfau (4–4)Lefort (9)34–193–0
DateOpponentRankStadiumScoreWinLossSaveOverallPostseasonSources
June 3at No. 12 (1) Long Beach State
First round		(4)Blair FieldL 2–11Evans (1–2)Frederick (5–6)—34–200–1
June 4at No. 18 (3) Pepperdine
First round elimination		(4)Blair FieldL 1–2Kleen (4–3)Venedam (2–3)–34–210–2
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie        = Canceled      Bold = Rhode Island team member     * Non-conference game • Schedule source • Rankings based on the teams' current ranking in the D1Baseball poll
Close

Stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average

More information Player, G ...
Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB AVG SLG
Matt Sullivan55208537114113431015.341.606
Scott Brown5420446681503431523.333.451
Ryan Cunningham532003273122745310.365.550
Mike Rainville54195385792336620.292.405
Dave Savard5017436501133211025.287.437
Wayne Russo541663657130435932.343.494
Daryl Holcomb481564453613231512.340.449
Josh Nestor511553347111533532.303.484
Joe Viscuso5114520333211469.228.297
CJ Simons306315194111547.302.444
Chris Stelma25548153011001.278.304
Zach Zaneski213857102401.184.368
Shaun Hagey142337100401.304.348
James Deady6912000000.222.222
Matthew Bruderek21100010011.0001.000
Team totals551791370560103134632783189.313.462
Close

Source:

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

More information Player, W ...
Player W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER BB SO
Zach Zuercher633.051414091.173343134103
Dan Frederick565.3814140777949463268
Steve Holmes714.341211074.27240361877
Adam Perkins933.03229068.16934231262
Jim Norcott333.18146145.14320161629
Tom Venedam232.56220131.227139725
Mike Lefort202.01190922.12055622
Matthew Bruderek003.09110011.2105449
Brett Palanski014.825109.157536
Jamie Degidio000.004006.150029
Dave Lipson007.20600596425
Gil Pena0115.436004.289832
Mike Harris000.003002.220003
Mike Miranda009.00200121120
Team totals34213.751545511451.1424223188141420
Close

Source:

Offseason

2005 MLB draft

Main article: 2005 Major League Baseball draft
More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position MLB Team
#9#290Zach ZuercherLHPSt. Louis Cardinals[18]
Close

Third baseman Mike Rainville and right-handed pitcher Mick Lefort were both signed as undrafted free-agents after the draft, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays[19] and the Chicago Cubs respectively [20]

Awards

More information Player, Award ...
Close

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI