University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
La Salle
La Salle Nips Baseball, 5-3
May 20, 2010 | Baseball
May 20, 2010
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AMHERST, Mass. - Despite a quality outing from starter Nick Serino, the UMass baseball team was unable to hold off La Salle, dropping the series opener, 5-3 on Thursday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. The setback leaves the Minutemen at 17-27 on the season and 11-14 in the Atlantic 10, while the Explorers improve to 21-28, 14-11 in conference play.
With one away in the bottom of the second, UMass put the first run of the day on the board as junior Peter Copa rocketed a 1-2 pitch over the fence in straightaway center for his team-leading eighth home run of the year.
The Minutemen followed up with another run the next inning as junior Matt Gedman reached with a bunt single, moved to second on a fielder's choice and scored on a single down the left field line by senior Brian Baudinet.
La Salle countered, however, tying the score at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. John Malloy drew a leadoff walk, while Jon Gyles reached on an error, putting the tying runs in scoring position for the Explorers with no outs. Brendan Norton dropped a two-run single into left that brought in Malloy and Gyles and erased the deficit.
UMass pulled back in front, 3-2, with a leadoff solo home run to right by junior Kyle Multner in the bottom of the seventh.
The Explorers then took the lead with one swing of the bat in the top of the eighth. Brian Meagher flared a single into left to start things off for La Salle. The next batter, Malloy, ripped a high line drive over the bushes in right for a two run homer that put the squad on top, 4-3. With two down in the frame, Chris Umstead legged out an infield single that sent in Jeff Flax for an insurance run.
Serino surrendered just one earned run on four hits and struck out eight in seven innings on the mound for the Minutemen. Sophomore Joe Popielarczyk relieved him and took the loss (1-1) as he gave up three runs, two earned, on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Eric Van Wyk worked seven innings for the Explorers to pick up the win (7-1). He held UMass to three runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out two. Pat Christensen came out of the bullpen for La Salle and tossed two scoreless innings to log his 10th save of the season. Christensen allowed two hits and struck out one.
Baudinet finished the contest 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Multner went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Freshman Ryan Cusick hit 2-for-5.
Flax was the lone member of the Explorers' lineup to tally multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Malloy and Norton drove in two runs apiece.
The teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, Friday, May 21, at 1 p.m. on Earl Lorden Field.
