By Nicholas Williams, Roger Williams University SID
BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men’s Tennis team needed a singles win to break a 4-4 tie Thursday afternoon over Bridgewater State College, as the Hawks picked up the 5-4 win in a non-conference matchup.
Dan Kleitz won the intense third singles match to clinch the victory for Roger Williams. Kleitz defeated Armindo Roche, 7-5, 6-3, at number three to secure the win for RWU.
The Hawks held a 2-1 lead going into singles play with Kleitz and Jeff DeNunzio getting the 8-6 win over Rocha and Juan Ortiz at number one and Kevin Erikson and Nicholas Hawvermale winning 8-6 over Matt Mailhot and Mike Zagame.
Adam Laithy and Nick Amrose earned Bridgewater State’s lone doubles win, defeating Kyle Baker and Nate Rohman, 8-6, at number two.
At singles, Ortiz got a 6-0, 6-2 decision over DeNunzio at number one, followed by Mailhot edging past Erikson, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2, at number two. The fourth win for Bridgewater State came at number five with Zagame beating Rohman, 6-3, 6-3, for the Bears’ fourth win.
On the other side of the court, Jason Pacino won 6-1, 6-1 over Laithy at number four, while Baker’s 6-2, 6-3 decision over Justin Lipomi set up the tie-breaking match between Kleitz and Roche.
Roger Williams (4-6) takes on Endicott College Saturday at noon, with Bridgewater State (1-1) going to Wheaton College Tuesday for a 3:30 match.