The East Providence varsity baseball team scored two runs in the sixth inning to come back and beat Lincoln 2-1 in a Division I opening round playoff game on Tuesday evening.

The 15-4, third seeded Townies move on to play second seeded La Salle on Thursday afternoon in the double elimination-12-team bracket. East Providence was 1-1 versus La Salle in the regular season.

Lincoln notched a single run in the top of the third inning off Townies pitcher Benjamin Hallene and the Townies defense, who shut the Lions down the rest of the way.

Hallene, a senior, struck out six while yielding seven hits, two walks and one run in seven innings.

Sophomore second baseman JJ Renaud belted a one-out single in the top of the sixth inning off Lions pitcher Carson Mellen, who spelled starter Andy Swerdloff, who shut down the Townies through five innings.

Freshman designated hitter, Alex Enright (2 for 3), stepped to the plate and smashed a triple to the left-center fence that sent the Lions fielders running. Renaud came around to score. The throw from the outfield flew over the third baseman's head and Enright scampered home as well to give the Townies a 2-1 lead.

That was more than enough for Hallene, who shut down the Lions the rest of the way.

- Reporting by Richard W. Dionne Jr.