University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Ohio State
Buckeyes Down Minutemen 14-0
March 19, 2006 | Baseball
March 19, 2006
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Buckeyes (7-4, 0-0 Big Ten) exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first as they cruised to 14-0 victory over the Minutemen (1-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10) on Sunday. The powerful Ohio State offense exploded for 14 runs on 18 hits. OSU lefty Dan DeLucia held the Minutemen hitless for four innings before freshman Joe Cotone (Yorktown, Mass.) stroked a single to left field. DeLucia was able to go the distance, shutting out the Minutemen while allowing just three hits and two walks. Cotone, freshman Adam Tempesta (Brockton, Mass.) and junior Travis Munsey (Durham, N.H.) had the Minutemen's three hits on the day. OSU third basemen Ronnie Bourquin propelled the Buckeye offense as he went 5-6 with five RBI and two runs scored.
The Buckeyes jumped out early in the game producing seven runs in the first inning on seven hits, a walk and one hit batter. OSU would send 11 hitters to the plate in the first before the third out was recorded as the Buckeyes lead 7-0. Minutemen starter Rory MacDonald struggled through the outing, lasting just two innings and surrendering nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits while walking two.
UMass head coach Mike Stone went to the bullpen to start the third, calling upon freshman Ryan Walczak (Taunton, Mass.) Walczak shared similar difficulty with the talented Buckeye lineup allowing five runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out two OSU batters in four innings of work.
The UMass bats were kept silent on the afternoon mustering just three hits, two walks and one hit batter. Of the 10 UMass runners reaching base, only one, freshman Jim MacDonald (Cheshire, Conn.), advanced past first base. On a positive note, the Minutemen were able to make contact consistently with DeLucia, as the junior registered just four strikeouts on the day.
Sophomore Brent Tarasuik (Lynn, Mass.) was the lone bright spot for the pitching staff on the day for the Minutemen. The righty reliever worked two scoreless innings, limiting the defending Big Ten Tournament champs to two hits and no walks.
Senior David Sullivan (Winchester, Mass.) gets the start for the Minutemen on Monday morning. Sullivan will look to help the Minutemen get back on the winning track while evening his record at 1-1. The Illini will counter with Omar Kadir who enters tomorrow's game at 0-0 with a 7.56. The first pitch from the IMG baseball complex is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
