University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
UMass 10-9 Victory Over URI
May 09, 2009 | Baseball
May 9, 2009
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AMHERST, Mass. - On the day that UMass' 1969 College World Series team was honored, the current squad capped off the celebration with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Rhode Island in Atlantic 10 baseball action on Saturday at Earl Lorden Field. Three home runs helped the Minutemen secure the victory that moves their record to 20-24 overall and 12-11 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams dropped their fourth conference game of the season (18-4) and are now 33-16-1 overall.
Back-to-back walks to Rob DeVeney and Jeff Cammans opened up the top of the second for Rhode Island and proved costly as Milan Adams sent a two-run double into the gap in left center with one out that put the Rams on the scoreboard. Adams then moved to third on an error and scampered home on a wild pitch to increase URI's lead to 3-0.
UMass answered back with two in the bottom of the frame. Junior Mike Donato blasted the first pitch he saw over the fence in center for a solo shot, his fourth homer of the season. Two batters later, sophomore Peter Copa sent a two-out double into right center and freshman Tom Conley plated him with an RBI single.
Rhode Island followed up with a home run in the top of the third by Dan Rhault, which he hit into the trees in center. The Rams then made it a 5-2 game the next inning as Mike LaBel poked a leadoff single through the left side, advanced to second on a balk, stole third and scored on an errant throw down the line.
The Minutemen finally overtook the Rams in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Kyle Multner and senior Sam Boone began the frame with two straight singles. Centerfielder Kenny Burns robbed the next batter, senior Adam Tempesta of a home run, snagging a ball that was headed over the fence for the first out. However, after junior Brian Baudinet was hit by a pitch, senior Jim Macdonald ripped a high fly ball down the line in left for a grand slam that gave UMass a 6-5 lead.
After a scoreless sixth, Rhode Island managed to knot things up at 6-6 in the top of the seventh. Burns was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and came in on a sacrifice fly by Oliver Palmer.
The Minutemen responded by retaking the lead, 8-6 in their next turn at bat. Tempesta doubled down the left field line, his 49th of his career to pull within one of the program record, while Baudinet drove him in with an RBI single to left. After a dropped foul ball gave Donato new life at the plate, he looped a pitch into center that sent home Baudinet.
UMass tacked on two key insurance runs the following inning, increasing their advantage to 10-6. Copa began the frame with an infield single and Multner roped a pitch over the fence in left center for the team's third home run of the day.
Those runs proved valuable as the Rams made an attempt at a comeback in the top of the ninth. Adams led off with a double, while two straight walks to Pete Mastors and Oliver Palmer loaded the bases for Rhault. Rhault sent a softly-hit fly ball into left for an RBI single that scored Adams. Mastors trotted home on a wild pitch, while a sacrifice fly by Tom Coulombe brought in Palmer for the team's ninth run.
That would be all, however, as senior Mitchell Eilenberg entered and struck out URI pinch hitter Adam Derner looking to end the game. Eilenberg picked up his second save of the season and 10th of his career, giving him sole possession of the program record.
Senior Mike DiCato pitched three innings out of the bullpen and recorded the win (4-3) for the Minutemen. He allowed one run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Dan Rossignol took the loss (2-2) for Rhode Island as he gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits with no walks and one strikeout in 1.2 innings on the hill.
Macdonald's four RBI paced the UMass offense, while Donato was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, Multner finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, Copa batted 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Tempesta went 2-for-5 at the plate, scoring once.
Rhault had four of the Rams' nine hits, finishing the day 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Adams was the only other member of URI's lineup to post multiple hits as he was 2-for-4 at the dish with two RBI and two runs scored.
The teams will play the rubber game of their weekend series tomorrow, May 10, at noon on Earl Lorden Field.
