University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Monmouth N.J.
Monmouth Slips Past Baseball, 5-4
March 14, 2009 | Baseball
March 14, 2009
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The UMass baseball team held a 4-2 lead though seven innings, but three unanswered runs by Monmouth resulted in a 5-4 setback for the Minutemen at Navy's Max Bishop Stadium on Saturday. Following the loss, UMass falls to 3-4 on the year, while the Hawks move to 3-6.
The Minutemen were first to score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back singles by juniors Brian Baudinet and Mike Donato began the inning. Then with two out, junior Garrett Glashoff drove in both runners with a single up the middle.
Monmouth promptly tied things up with two of its own in the squad's next turn at-bat. Three straight one-out singles by Rick Niederhaus, Mike Casale and Jamie Rosenkranz got things started for the Hawks. Niederhaus came home on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Dombrowski and Casale crossed the plate on an RBI double to left center by Josh Boyd.
UMass responded by getting one of the runs back in the bottom of the fifth as junior Austin Weymouth drew a one-out walk and later scored on an RBI groundout by Donato. The Minutemen went on to add their fourth and final run the following inning. Senior Sam Boone began the frame with an infield hit, moved to second on a wild pitch and came in on a single to left by sophomore Matt Gedman.
Monmouth knotted the score up at four in the top of the eighth. Boyd reached with a bunt single to lead off the inning, went to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on an error. The second batter for the Hawks, Brett Holland, also knocked an infield hit and was eventually driven in on a two-out double down the right field line by Paul Bottigliero.
In the next inning, the Hawks managed what would be the winning run as Rosenkranz poked a single through the left side and went on to score on an error with two gone in the frame.
UMass starter Jared Freni pitched seven innings and allowed four runs on nine hits with no walks and four strikeouts, but did not earn a decision. Senior Mitchell Eilenberg relieved him and took the loss (1-1). He allowed one unearned run on two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings of work. Reliever Tim Ballard picked up the win (1-2) for Monmouth, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings, letting up three hits and striking out three. Nick McNamara logged the save after pitching a scoreless ninth and giving up one hit.
Baudinet finished the day 4-for-4 at the plate with a run scored to lead the Minutemen, tying his career high in hits. Boone went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Glashoff was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
Four members of the Hawks had multiple hit performances, led by Boyd's 2-for-3 outing with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
UMass will take on Navy this afternoon before playing Monmouth once more tomorrow, Mar. 15, at 11 a.m. at Max Bishop Stadium.
