University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Temple
Owls Take Game One Versus UMass 8-4
April 28, 2006 | Baseball
April 28, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The Massachusetts baseball squad (9-21, 7-9 A-10) fell to the Temple (8-31, 2-12 A-10) by the score of 8-4 on Friday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. The Owls complimented some solid hitting with a series of well-placed bunts to take the victory from the Minutemen. UMass struggled mightily against Temple pitching mustering seven hits over the contest, a change of pace from their consistent offensive success against A-10 pitching. Freshman Joe Cotone (Yorktown, N.Y.) led the UMass offense going 2-4 with three RBI while freshman Jim Macdonald (Cheshire, Conn.) was 2-3 with a RBI and run scored. Jamie Abercrombie paced Temple hitters, as he was 4-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Minutemen trailed 8-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning and mounted a rally, loading the bases to begin the inning. Cotone and Macdonald made the most of the situation, each stroking RBI singles making it 8-4. The rally was cut short as junior Bill Rankin's (Willington, Conn.) fly ball wasn't deep enough to score freshman Marc Dalaire (Peabody, Mass.) from third resulting in a double play. Owl reliever Tim Foulkrod was able to get Charles Kelly (Churchville, Pa.) to ground out to second to get out of the inning.
The Owls struck first in the game, putting a pair of runs up on the board. Temple used a string of bunts to put runners on second and third for third basemen Dan Brady. The junior followed with a double down the left field line just past the outstretched glove of Ryan Franczek (Chicopee, Mass.). The hit brought in two runs and gave Temple an early 2-0 advantage.
Temple added an insurance run in the top half of the fifth as Tom Dolan led off the inning with a triple to left center. Minuteman junior starter Rory McDonald (East Longmeadow, Mass.) got Frank Nunan to ground out bringing Brady to the plate. Brady hit a chopper to third that took a hard hop allowing him to reach safely and Dolan to come into score, making it 3-0.
The Owls tacked on four more in the top half of the sixth. Jamie Abercrombie singled home the first run with a RBI single. Dolan followed with a sacrifice fly to right, extending the Temple lead to 5-0. The Owls brought in another run on an RBI single by Brady, as the third basemen advanced to second on the play drawing a throw, bringing Nunan to home to score the seventh run for the Owls. Temple also added another in the top half of the seventh extending their lead 8-0.
The Minutemen struggled offensively against Owl starter Justin Mendek as he held the Minutemen to no runs on three hits over the first six innings. He kept batters off balance with a steady diet of curveballs and changeups along with his southpaw delivery.
The Minutemen finally got the bats going off of Mendek in the bottom of the seventh as sophomore Bryan Garrity (Peabody, Mass.) reached via a walk and Macdonald followed with a single up the middle. Cotone took advantage of the situation, lacing a two RBI double down the left field line.
Mendek ultimately took the win as he pitched seven strong innings allowing just the two runs on five hits while retiring four UMass batters via strikeout. Fulkrod pitched two scoreless innings to earn his first save of the year. McDonald was tagged with the loss falling to 2-3 on the year.
The Minutemen return to action Saturday afternoon at Noon for game two of this three game series. Fans unable to attend can catch the game online though live audio or follow along with Gametracker via umassathletics.com. Be sure to check to umassathletics.com after the game for a complete recap and updated stats.
