PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Third-seeded Rhode Island College posted a 5-1 victory over #6 Bridgewater State University in the opening round of the 2019 Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Tennis Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at the RIC Tennis Center.

The host Anchormen improve to 10-4 on the season and advance to the tournament semifinal round. RIC will face #2 Salem State University in the semifinals on Friday, May 3rd. Top-seeded UMass Boston is hosting the remainder of the tournament. The visiting Bears end the season with an overall record of 3-10.

The Anchormen led 2-1 after double play. Senior Matt Gambardella (West Warwick, R.I.) and sophomore Ethan Hoy (West Warwick, R.I.) teamed up for an 8-4 with at the third flight, while sophomore Alex Bourque (North Smithfield, R.I.) and senior Alan Esposito (Clinton, Conn.) earned a tough 8-6 decision at number one.

The BSU tandem of sophomore Jeff Pavao (Somerset, Mass.) and senior Alexander Belinsky (Norton, Mass.) notched an 8-6 triumph at the third doubles flight for the Bears' lone point of the match.

In singles play, senior Chandler Scott (Ashaway, R.I.) gave the Anchormen a 3-1 lead with a 6-2, 6-2 straight set win at second singles. Esposito registered a 6-2, 6-2 straight set victory at the sixth flight to pull the hosts to within a point of clinching the match.

Gambardella then secured the match with a 6-3, 6-1 decision at the third spot.

The remaining three singles matches were officially recorded as unfinished.