NEWPORT, R.I. – After gaining an early 1-0 lead, the Southern Vermont College baseball team surrendered five runs in the bottom of the third to give the hosting Salve Regina University Seahawks a lead which they would increase upon en route to a 17-1 win Tuesday afternoon at Reynolds Field in non-conference action.

With the loss, the Mountaineers drop to 7-10 on the season while Salve Regina improves to 12-5 with the win.

Southern Vermont got on the board first in the top of the second when sophomore designated hitter Cody LaBadia (Howes Caves, N.Y.) pulled a 2-2 pitch down the right field line and over the fence for the team's first round-tripper of the season. That would be all the Mountaineers would get across the plate, however, as Salve freshman starting righty Branden Hoxsie (Warwick, R.I.) was able to settle down and keep Southern Vermont from manufacturing any momentum offensively.

The Seahawks came back to take the lead in the bottom of the third after loading the bases before making any outs. Junior right fielder Tyler Colby (Easton, Conn.) singled to right center to bring in two. Back-to-back singles and a following sacrifice fly to center brought in sophomore second baseman Sean Becker (Richmond, Va.) and Colby, respectively, and a double steal attempt on a first-and-third situation plated the fifth Salve Regina run, putting the Seahawks ahead 5-1.

SRU would put up six more in the next two innings and capped the game with a six-run bottom of the eighth to take the 17-1 victory as Southern Vermont was hard-pressed for runs. Its best chance came in the top of the sixth when the Mountaineers were able to load the bases with a pair of hits and a walk, however, a groundout to shortstop ended the inning and left them off the board.

Hoxsie picks up his first collegiate win (1-0) with the one run on seven hit performance, striking out five while only walking one. SVC freshman right-hander Adam Michaud (East Hampton, Conn.) takes the loss (1-2) after allowing five runs in two innings.

LaBadia went 1-4 with the homerun while Nicastro was 1-3. Freshman second baseman RJ Pingitore (Amsterdam, N.Y.) was also 1-3 with a double, and sophomore centerfielder Jarod Hayen (Esperance, N.Y.) was 1-2 on the day.

Seahawk freshman centerfielder Ryan Kelly (Waldwick, N.J.) went 2-4 with a triple, a walk, four RBIs and four runs scored. Becker also had a big day with a 2-4 performance at the plate including two walks, two runs scored and one run batted in. SRU sophomore third baseman Joe Haley (North Kingstown, R.I.) went 3-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Southern Vermont is back in action on Thursday for the start of a four-game home stand with a 3 p.m. game against Bard College. Salve looks to its 4 p.m. Thursday contest at Eastern Connecticut State University.