Virginia Commonwealth University

Score: No. 3 VCU 9, No. 5 Rhode Island 1
Location: Tysons, Va. (Capital One Park)
Records: VCU 37-23 (20-10), Rhode Island 26-31 (16-14)
 
VCU baseball was relentless in its pursuit of the 2026 Atlantic 10 Championship, overcoming every weather delay, suspended game and opponent that stood between the Black & Gold and its fourth A-10 Title in six years. VCU dominated every phase of the game against Rhode Island in the winner-take-all championship final game two, downing URI 9-1 to capture the Championship on Sunday.
 
LEADING OFF:

• Jacob Lee earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player recognition and was joined by Zach Peters and Dante DeFranco on the All-Championship Team
• VCU has now won the A-10 Title in all four of its last A-10 Championship appearances (2021, 2022, 2024 and 2026)
• Trent Adelman blasted VCU's program-record 67^th team home run of the year in the fourth inning
• Fenix DiGiacomo, Dawson Newman and Cooper Campbell combined to allow just one run and eight hits
• Newman was credited with his fifth win of the season on 3.0 innings of one-hit ball, striking out a pair
• Campbell earned his third save, giving up just one run in his 5.0 innings of work to close the game
• At the plate, Nick Flores and Alec Warden had three hits apiece, while Warden and Adelman each drove in two runs
• Sean Thompson captured his first Atlantic 10 Title as head coach

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• DiGiacomo opened the game with a swinging strikeout, setting the tone for seven-straight scoreless frames from the VCU pitching staff
• VCU combined offensive production with taking advantage of Rhode Island miscues, scoring its first run of the game following a leadoff URI error in the second inning
• In the fourth frame, Flores had a pair of hits and Nate Kirkpatrick was walked twice, once intentionally, while VCU sent 12 hitters to the plate, taking a 6-0 lead on a two-run Warden single, Adelman's home run, and back-to-back base knocks from Lee and Flores
• Campbell continued Newman's mound dominance, carrying a shutout into the eighth inning before Rhody scratched its lone run across on a trio of hits
• VCU had a prompt answer in its defensive half of the inning, as Michael Petite scored on a throwing error and Kirkpatrick drove in the final run of the afternoon
• A liner to Adelman in right field capped the Rams' Atlantic 10 Championship run, emerging victorious in the 9-1 contest against Rhode Island

 
UP NEXT
VCU will advance to the NCAA Tournament, making its first regional appearance since 2024. The NCAA Baseball Selection Show will air on ESPN2 on Monday, May 25, at 12 p.m., announcing the field of 64, including the Rams' upcoming opponents and site of play. More information on the postseason can be found at NCAA.com.