In a classic Division I rivalry showdown at Toti Baseball Diamond, La Salle proved that in baseball, the smallest details often make the biggest difference. The Rams capitalized on a handful of costly East Providence errors to secure a 2-0 shutout victory under bright blue skies Tuesday afternoon.

The winning formula was simple: make the opponent pay for every mistake. Jayce Bessette reached base and scored on two separate errors, while Adryan Urena crossed the plate on a wild pitch. A perfectly executed pickoff play also helped squash an early East Providence scoring threat, keeping the Townies off the board.

"Every run was going to matter," said La Salle catcher Brady Collins. "On defense, every little detail mattered. That's where we got the edge on them."

The Rams managed only two hits against East Providence right-hander JJ Renaud, who deserved a better fate. But La Salle's pitching duo of Cameron Caprio and Eli Merejildo was even sharper, combining for a four-hit shutout. They stranded nine runners and struck out four, with Merejildo inducing a game-ending 4-6-3 double play in the top of the seventh inning after the Townies had brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate.

"The intensity was high," Caprio said. "You could feel it — just a lot of pressure. It was good."

These old Thanksgiving football rivals are set to meet again Monday afternoon, and if this contest was any indication, baseball fans won't want to miss the rematch.