University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
URI Edges Minutemen, 3-2
April 17, 2010 | Baseball
April 17, 2010
KINGSTON, R.I. - The UMass baseball team fought back from a 2-0 deficit, but a ground ball in the bottom of the eighth proved to be the difference as Rhode Island edged the Minutemen, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon to level the weekend series. UMass is now 6-19 overall and 4-7 in the Atlantic 10 while the Rams move to 17-15 and 7-4 in conference play.
Rhode Island got on the board in the second inning as Tom Coulombe single through the left side, stole two bases and came home on a single to right by Dan Haverstick. Haverstick drove in the squad's second run two innings later, plating Kyle Borden with a two-out single up the middle.
UMass tied the score in the top of the fifth, capitalizing on a pair of errors by Rams centerfielder Kenny Burns. Baudinet reached on a two-base error and later scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Tom Conley. With two away, sophomore Alex Fischer knocked in junior Peter Copa for the tying run with a single through the left side, extending his hitting streak to five straight games.
URI pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the eighth as Coulombe singled up the middle and went on to score on a fielder's choice ground ball to second.
Ken Graveline out-dueled senior Jared Freni to earn the win (4-2) for the Rams, working 8.2 innings and allowing two unearned runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Gardner Leaver came on to record the final out and picked up his seventh save of the season. Freni tossed all eight innings for the Minutemen and allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts, taking the loss (1-4).
Copa had two of UMass' four hits on the afternoon, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Fischer and junior Eric Fredette both contributed singles, while Fischer and Conley each had an RBI.
Haverstick tallied three of the Rams' seven hits to lead the way with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and two RBI. Coulombe finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The teams will wrap up the weekend series tomorrow, Sunday, Apr. 17, with game three slated for a noon start.
