University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Home Runs Help Carry URI Past Baseball, 10-4
May 06, 2011 | Baseball
May 6, 2011
KINGSTON, R.I. - The UMass baseball team held an early 1-0 lead, but two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh helped carry Rhode Island past the Minutemen, 10-4, at Bill Beck Field on Friday afternoon. Following the setback, UMass sits at 15-24 on the season, 6-10 in the Atlantic 10, while the Rams improve to 27-17 overall and 13-6 in conference play.
After both teams went down in order in the first, UMass capitalized on an error in the second that allowed senior Peter Copa to reach base. Copa stole second and moved to third on a single to left by junior Tom Conley before scoring on a double play ball.
However, Rhode Island responded with two runs in the bottom of the third to take a 2-1 lead. Dan Haverstick drove a one-out double into right center and came home on an RBI single to left by Pat Fortunato. Then with two away, Jeff Roy tripled to right center and crossed the plate on an error.
The Rams then pushed their advantage to 4-1 with two down in the fourth. Mike LeBel drew a two-out walk and advanced to third on a single up the middle by Milan Adams. Then, after Adams stole second, Haverstick drove in the pair with a single to center.
In the top of the sixth, the Minutemen answered with one swing of the bat. Following walks to junior Anthony Serino and senior Eric Fredette to open up the frame, senior Peter Copa lofted a three-run home run over the fence in left for his team-leading ninth long ball of the season.
URI followed up with a pair of home runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead. Kyle Borden launched a one-out round tripper to center to give the Rams a 5-4 edge and Mike LeBel gave Rhode Island an insurance run with a solo shot to right.
Then in the seventh, Rhode Island broke the game open with three more runs to push the score to 9-4. Haverstick led off with a single to right and Jeff Cammans plated him with a ground ball. Borden and Greg Annarummo followed up RBI singles. The Rams tacked on one more in its final at bat with Haverstick scoring on a sacrifice fly by Roy.
Glen Misho took the loss (5-3) on the hill for UMass as he allowed nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits with two walks and no strikeouts. Chris Pickering collected the win (4-3) for URI as he worked 3.2 innings without allowing a run or a hit, walking two and striking out two.
Copa paced the Minutemen with three RBI and two runs scored on the afternoon, tallying one of the squad's three hits. For the Rams, Haverstick finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Fortunato batted 3-for-4 with an RBI.
UMass and Rhode Island will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, May 7, at 1 p.m. on Bill Beck Field.
