University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
14-23, 10-9
Rhode Island
20-20-1, 12-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 1 |
| Massachusetts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 7 | 1 |
Picard's Blast Helps UMass Top URI, 4-3
May 08, 2015 | Baseball
AMHERST, Mass. - A two-run homer by redshirt senior Adam Picard in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the difference-maker as UMass baseball took game one of its Atlantic 10 series against Rhode Island, 4-3 on Friday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. With the win, the Minutemen improve to 10-9 in A-10 play, 14-23 overall, while the Rams fall to 12-7 in the conference and 20-20-1 on the year.
A pair of extra base hits gave URI an early 1-0 advantage. With one out in the top of the first, Ryan Olmo drove a double back up the middle and Chris Hess plated him with a triple to right.
UMass later leveled the score at 1-1 in the fourth. Redshirt senior Rob McLam led off with a single to center, moved to third on a single to right center by sophomore Mike Geannelis and came home on a single to right by junior Brandon Walsh.
Rhode Island briefly regained the lead, 2-1, in the fifth. Nick DeRegis doubled to right and scored on a two-out RBI single from Tim Caputo.
The Minutemen promptly tied things up at 2-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Mike Hart was hit by a pitch to open up the frame, went to third following a pair of bunts and crossed the plate on a passed ball.
After sophomore Ryan Moloney worked out of a bases loaded, no outs jam in the top of the sixth with a shallow fly ball and a double play, UMass took the lead for the first time in their next trip to the plate. Leading off, Geannelis struck out and reached on a wild pitch before Picard rocketed the first pitch of his at bat over the fence in left to put the Minutemen on top, 4-2.
Mike Corin began URI's half of the eighth with a double and later scored on wild pitch to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Geannelis took the mound in the ninth and shut the door after working around a leadoff single to earn his fourth save.
Moloney collected the win (3-4) as he worked six innings and allowed just two runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Rams' starter Lou Distasio went seven innings and took the loss (5-5). He surrendered four runs, three earned, on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Seven Minutemen combined for the squad's seven hits on the day with Picard picking up two RBI and Walsh collecting one. Olmo paced Rhode Island at the plate with his 3-for-5 afternoon with a double and a run scored.
The teams will be back in action tomorrow, May 9, with game two of the weekend series scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Earl Lorden Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Moloney, Ryan (3-4)
L: Distasio (5-5)
S: Geannelis, Mike (4)
Batting:
2B: Olmo 1 ; Corin 1 ; DeRegis 1
3B: Hess 1
RBI: Caputo 1 ; Hess 1
SH: Caputo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Olmo 1 ; Corin 1 ; DeRegis 1
SB: Olmo 1 ; DeRegis 1
CS: Foreman 1
Batting:
HR: Picard, Adam 1
RBI: Picard, Adam 2 ; Walsh, Brandon 1
SH: Adie, Kyle 1 ; Scifo, Vinny 2
Base Running:
RUNS: McLam, Rob 1 ; Geannelis, Mike 1 ; Picard, Adam 1 ; Hart, Mike 1
HBP: Yanakopulos, Paul 1 ; Hart, Mike 1
