University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
URI Edges UMass Baseball, 4-1 In Series Finale
May 08, 2011 | Baseball
May 8, 2011
KINGSTON, R.I. - Three home runs and a complete game from Stephen Peterson helped Rhode Island edge UMass baseball, 4-1 in the series finale at Bill Beck Field on Sunday afternoon. Following the setback, the Minutemen are now 15-26 on the season, 6-12 in the Atlantic 10, while the Rams improve to 29-17 overall and 15-6 in conference games.
Rhode Island began the scoring with two solo home runs to left in the bottom of the second. A leadoff shot by Greg Annarummo and another by Dan Haverstick with two away.
UMass halved its deficit by getting on the board in the top of the sixth. Freshman Kyle Adie began the frame with a single up the middle and senior Eric Fredette followed with a one-out single through the right side to move Adie to third. Then, senior Matt Gedman lofted a double to the left field corner to bring in Adie. Junior Tom Conley drew a walk to load the bases with two away. However, Peterson pitched the Rams out of trouble with a fly ball to center to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Rhode Island extended its advantage back out to two with another solo home run to left, this time off the bat of Mike LeBel.
URI added a fourth run in the bottom of the eighth as Jeff Roy singled to right, was sacrificed over to second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder's choice.
Junior Ben Hart had his second solid start of the week for the Minutemen, but took the loss (3-2) as he allowed four runs on nine hits in 7.1 innings of work with one walk and three strikeouts. Peterson went the distance for the Rams and gave up one run on six hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts.
Gedman had two of UMass' six base knocks, finishing the contest 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior Peter Copa was 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 11 straight games, a career high.
For Rhode Island, both Roy and Haverstick went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Haverstick drove in one, as well.
The Minutemen will be back in action next weekend, hosting Fordham in the squad's 2011 home finale. First pitch for game one is scheduled for Friday, May 13, at 1 p.m. at Earl Lorden Field.
