KINGSTON, R.I. – St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island traded scoring rallies Thursday afternoon in the opener of a three-game Atlantic 10 set, but the Bonnies would fall just short in their final come-from-behind attempt, dropping an 8-7 decision at Bill Beck Field.

Bona cracked 14 hits on the afternoon led by a pair of seniors – Ryan MacCarrick went 3-for-4 with three RBIs while David Vaccaro smacked three hits as well.

Alexander Ferlenda and Ryan O'Connor each had two hits apiece and combined to drive in three runs.

Down by two heading for the ninth, a Rhode Island error and single from Mike Magnanti led to a sacrifice fly off the bat of MacCarrick to draw the Bonnies within a run. Jeff Palczewski followed with a hit through the infield to move the tying run into scoring position, but Rams closer Nick Johnson earned his ninth save of the season by picking up the final out by strikeout.

Rhode Island scored first with a run in the third, but the Bonnies would even things in the fourth.

MacCarrick singled with one out and moved to third when Palczewski reached on a fielding error. Vaccaro brought MacCarrick home with a base hit through the left side for the 1-1 tie.

The tie would be short-lived, though, as Rhode Island put up three runs in the fourth inning for a 4-1 advantage.

St. Bonaventure had a chance to turn the tables in its half of the fifth, starting the inning with three consecutive hits as Daniel Stauffer singled and scored on a double off the bat of Ferlenda before O'Connor drove in Ferlenda with a hit to left. The Bonnies tied things at 4-4 when MacCarrick punched a two-strike single down the left field line, scoring O'Connor for another tie.

One inning later, Ferlenda gave the Bonnies the lead with his second RBI double of the day, this time scoring Vaccaro with two outs with a blast into the left field corner.

Unfortunately for the Bonnies, Rhode Island would again answer right back with a four-spot in the sixth for an 8-5 lead.

MacCarrick's RBI knock in the seventh brought the Bonnies back within a run, setting the stage for the final rally effort in the ninth.

Senior Brandon Schlimm made his final start in a Bonnies uniform, capping a fine career (5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K). He passed Jim Britton '09 for third in program history in career innings pitched on Thursday, having tossed 272.1 frames. Only Cody Vincent '08 (367.1) and Eddie Gray '13 (289.2) have worked more innings in the modern era of Bonnies baseball. Schlimm also ranks fourth in career starts (43) and sixth in strikeouts (194).

Another senior, Roman Wild struck out three in three innings of relief.

St. Bonaventure will finish the 2018 season with one final schedule change – fitting for the way the weather went all spring. With rain in the forecast, the Bonnies and Rams are slated to now play a doubleheader Friday beginning at 11 a.m.

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