University of Massachusets Athletics
A Pair of Connecticut Teams Come To Earl Lorden
May 09, 2006 | Baseball
May 9, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass baseball team (11-25, 9-12 A-10) faces off against the UConn Huskies (28-15-1, 13-5-1 Big East) Tuesday at Earl Lorden Field, continuing the extended homestand. Earlier in the year when the teams faced off, UConn took a 7-1 decision in Storrs. Wednesday UMass plays the Central Connecticut Blue Devils (27-14, 12-6 Northeastern Conference).
The Minutemen are coming off a weekend series against St. Bonaventure where they dropped two of three. Senior outfielder Derrick Durepo had a strong weekend, going 5-10 with five RBI and two runs. His season average is now .227 with 17 RBI and 21 runs. Travis Munsey also had a strong series, going 4-9 with four runs scored. His recent hot bat has lifted his season average to .302. Third baseman Ryan Franczek continued his solid hitting pace turning in a 4-13 effort at the plate last weekend. His season average is now at .321 with 24 RBI and 25 runs scored.
Starting pitching was solid last weekend as the Minutemen got three quality starting performances. Fans are likely to see freshman Tom Cote, freshman Mike Dicato or sophomore Aaron Smith start Tuesday's and Wednesday's games. Cote, who last pitched against Siena last Thursday, has a 0-4 record with a 9.59 ERA. In his start against Siena, he lasted 4.1 innings and allowed three earned runs. Dicato has one start this year against Northeastern, but has made 15 appearances out of the bullpen. He has a 1-2 record with 6.66 ERA. In his last appearance last weekend, he went a third of an inning and let up four earned runs. Smith last pitched last Thursday against Siena and let up two earned runs in two innings. He has a 2-2 record and 4.11 ERA.
Connecticut has had a strong year and comes into the game in second place in the Big East standings. The high-powered offense and strong pitching has helped them rack up 28 wins this season. Junior infielder Dennis Donovan has led the charge batting .344 with three home runs and 30 RBI. In UConn's last game against Hofstra (May 8) Donovan slugged two home runs to lead the Huskies to a 9-6 victory.
Central Connecticut has also had a solid year under head coach Charlie Hickey. The strong hitting team (.311 team batting average) is led by junior infielder Sean Salvatore. Batting .374, he has three home runs with 28 RBI with 38 runs.
Listen to the game on Tuesday on umassathletics.com, with Danny Picard and Brian Nowak calling the game. You can always follow all UMass games via Gametracker. Starting times for both games is 3 p.m.. Updated stats and game recaps will be on umassathletics.com following each game.
