University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Old Dominion
Home Run Lifts Old Dominion Over UMass, 3-2
March 18, 2012 | Baseball
March 18, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. - A solo home run for Old Dominion in the sixth inning proved to be the difference in the score as UMass was edged, 3-2 in the second game of its three-game series at Bud Metheny Complex on Sunday afternoon. The setback leaves the Minutemen at 1-5 on the season, while the Monarchs improve to 8-10.
Back-to-back two-out doubles to center by redshirt sophomore Ryan Cusick and sophomore Rob McLam gave UMass a 1-0 lead in the top of the third.
Old Dominion took the run back in the bottom half of the frame, however. Ty Yesensky legged out an infield single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch before coming home on another infield hit by Josh Wright.
The Minutemen climbed back on top in the next inning. Sophomore Dylan Begin singled and moved to third on a hit-and-run with senior Tom Conley dropping a single into right field. Then with redshirt freshman Adam Picard at the plate, Begin scored on a wild pitch to give UMass a 2-1 advantage.
With runs in the fifth and sixth, the Monarchs pulled level and took the lead. Brandon Shelton ripped a leadoff double to left and later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Austin McGowan in the fifth. Then in the sixth, Josh Tutwiler came through with the would-be winning run on a solo homer to right.
Despite having another quality start, junior Dennis Torres took the loss (0-2) on the mound for the Minutemen. In 7.2 innings of work, he let up three runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Ben Tomchick collected the victory (1-2) for Old Dominion as he worked six innings and gave up two runs on six hits and struck out nine. Brandon Smith threw the final three innings scoreless and picked up the save.
Conley and McLam combined for four of UMass' six hits on the afternoon, batting 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively. McLam drove in one and recorded a stolen base, as well.
For the Monarchs, Shelton finished 2-for-2 with a run scored and Tutwiler hit 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
UMass and Old Dominion close out their series tomorrow afternoon, Monday, Mar. 19, at 3 p.m.
