MANSFIELD, Conn. – Joe Ganley hit a one-out, bases-loaded single in the ninth inning that scored the winning run Wednesday night as the University of Southern Maine beat Rhode Island College 9-8 in the first round of the Little East Conference tournament at Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Huskies face Keene State in tonight’s 7 p.m. second-round game in the double-elimination event.

Southern Maine trailed 8-3 but scored five runs in the sixth to tie it.

Ryan Bourque paced USM with a three-run home run, a double, and five RBIs. Max Arsenault homered and singled with two RBIs, and Joe McGhee added two singles.

Tim Therrian pitched three innings of scoreless relief to earn the win.

Josh Cardoso led Rhode Island College with a homer, a double, and a single good for three RBIs.

R.I. College (21-13) 014 102 000 – 8 11 2

So. Maine (26-13) 003 005 001 – 9 10 1

Thibault, Vatter (7) and Henault; Ross, Foley (3), Stacy (5), Therrian (7) and Arsenault