University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Baseball Faces CCSU, Boston College
April 11, 2016 | Baseball
| Massachusetts (6-13, 2-4 A-10) vs. Central Connecticut (13-16, 6-6 NEC) |
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| Date | Time | Tuesday, April 12 | 3 p.m. |
| Location | Weather |
Amherst, Mass. (Earl Lorden Field) | Directions |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Video |
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| Social Media | @UMassBaseball  | @CCSUBlueDevils |
| Probable Starters |
Massachusetts: TBA |
| Massachusetts (6-13, 2-4 A-10) at Boston College (16-11, 5-8 ACC) |
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| Date | Time | Wednesday, April 13 | 3 p.m. |
| Location | Weather |
Chestnut Hill, Mass. (Shea Field) | Directions
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| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @UMassBaseball | @BCBirdBall |
| Probable Starters |
Massachusetts: TBA |
Game Notes
Batting Practice
- The Massachusetts baseball team returns to Earl Lorden Field Tuesday afternoon for a 3 p.m. meeting with Central Connecticut State University. The game represents a reunion of sorts for UMass assistant coach Nate Cole, who pitched for the Blue Devils and helped the squad to two appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2004, 2007).
- Following Tuesday's matchup with CCSU, the Minutemen travel east for a Beanpot First Round contest at Boston College. Slated for 3 p.m. on Wednesday from Chestnut Hill and Shea Field, the game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 in Amherst, but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Recap in a Minute
- UMass is coming off of a three-game weekend series at St. Bonaventure in which the Minutemen eked out a 3-2 win in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday. The Bonnies rallied to tie the score at two-apiece in the bottom of the eighth before UMass brought home the game-winning run in the top of the ninth.
- With two outs, Brett Evangelista sent a 2-2 pitch to left center field for a ground-rule double, plating Mike Geannelis and giving the Minutemen the lead for the balance of the contest. Kevin Hassett (1-0) earned the win and Evan Mackintosh notched his fourth save after each tossed a hitless eighth and ninth, respectively. Ryan Moloney also struck out five over seven innings of two-run ball, receiving a no-decision.
- Despite early run production, the Minutemen fell to SBU in Friday's nightcap, 5-3. The Bonnies also escaped with the rubber game in a 7-3 decision.
Scouting Central Connecticut
- Central Connecticut (13-16, 6-6 NEC) took three of four from Mount St. Mary's over the weekend, winning the first three games of the series by a combined margin of 27-4. The Blue Devils and Minutemen last met on the diamond on April 14, 2015 as UMass picked up a 6-0 win in New Britain, Conn. Bryce Maher had a 3-for-5 day with three RBI and Tim Cassidy allowed just three hits, striking out three in a complete game shutout.
- CCSU boasts a roster heavy with youth and has just four seniors. Sophomore Dean Lockery (.358) and senior Connor Fitzsimmons (.345) have led efforts at the plate, while sophomore Ryan Costello has also played a key role, clubbing two homers and driving in 18 runs.
- With five starts, junior Andrew Hinckley (4-2) has been a valuable part of the pitching rotation. With 24 Ks and an ERA of just 2.33, the native of East Haven, Conn. has also seen time out of the bullpen, making two relief appearances and notching one save.
- The 2016 season marks Charlie Hickey's 17th at the helm of the Blue Devils baseball program. Under his tutelage, CCSU has captured 13 seasons of 25-plus wins and four berths in the NCAA Tournament. Hickey also was previously an assistant coach in the Cape Cod Baseball League (1992-94), helping the Cotuit Kettleers to a runner-up finish in the 1992 CCBL Championship and coaching future major leaguer Lou Merloni in the process.
Scouting Boston College
- Wednesday's First Round Beanpot game between UMass and Boston College (16-11, 5-8 ACC) will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Minutemen played host to BC on Wednesday, March 30, falling to the Eagles by an 11-5 score.
- The Eagles last played on Sunday, taking the rubber game at home in a three-game series against ACC rival Virginia. After falling 3-0 in the series opener Friday, BC took a 3-2 decision on Saturday before rallying for a 5-4, 13-inning win Sunday. The Cavaliers nearly sealed the victory in the 10th with a three-run homer off the bat of Pavin Smith, but Eagles responded with three in the bottom of the tenth, ultimately walking off with the win on a Scott Braren single in the 13th.
- Joe Cronin (.330) and Michael Strem (.298) lead the Eagles' bats, combining for 12 doubles and 31 runs on the season. Cronin was 2-for-2 in BC's March 30 meeting with the Minutemen with an RBI triple in the sixth inning.
- Jacob Stevens (2-1) continues to light up the stat sheet on the pitcher's mound, allowing just two earned runs over his 40 innings of work. His ERA of 0.45 stands as the best in the ACC.
- Head coach and BC alum Mike Gambino is now in his eighth campaign as Eagles skipper. The 2015 season was his most successful thus far, guiding the squad to a 27-27 record. Gambino also earned his 100th win as a head coach in last year's season finale.
- Prior to hosting the Minutemen Wednesday, BC will make the short trip to Harvard for a Tuesday meeting with the Crimson.
Spilling The Beans
- UMass holds a 20-19 overall record in Beanpot competition, dating back to the program's first tournament appearance in 1996. The team holds a 5-6 record against Boston College in the Beanpot, most recently meeting the Eagles in last year's championship game at Fenway Park.
- Wednesday's contest will be the first time UMass and BC have met in the opening round since 2013, when the Minutemen rolled past the Eagles by a score of 11-6.
- The Beanpot Championship and Consolation Game will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass. The winner of Wednesday's game will face Northeastern, while the loser will face Harvard in the Consolation Game.
Walking A Fine Line
- The Minutemen walked six times both in Friday's opener at St. Bonaventure and during the series' rubber game on Sunday.
- It was the third time the team reached the mark this season, also earning six free passes against Maine on March 20.
Nine Is Just Fine
- In his six-inning start in Friday's nightcap at St. Bonaventure, Tim Cassidy notched nine strikeouts, setting a new single-game career high in that category. The redshirt-senior received a no-decision despite allowing just two runs on two walks and one hit.
- Cassidy had Ks in the first, second (2), third (2), fourth (2), fifth, and sixth innings.
Jon Is On
- Tallying two hits and two walks throughout the St. Bonaventure series last weekend, Jon Avallone has now reached base in 14 consecutive games.
- Now the longest active streak on the team, Avallone's mark also represents a personal-best.
Doubling The Fun
- UMass clubbed four doubles in the second game of Friday's doubleheader at St. Bonaventure, tying its season-best performance set on March 20 against Maine.
- Mike Hart had two doubles against SBU, while John Jennings and Matt Bare each had a two-bagger in the game.
Eyes on Jennings
- Senior co-captain John Jennings has been named to the 2016 Johnny Bench Award watch list, as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. There are 74 nominees on the watch list across Division I, with the award ultimately given to the top catcher at the D-I level.
- The Newton, Mass. product had two hits in last weekend's St. Bonaventure series, scoring twice and driving in a run in the process. In addition, he threw out a runner stealing during Friday's series opener, his seventh of the season.
Getting It Done In The Classroom
- Eight members of the UMass baseball team were recognized last month for their academic success with placement on the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Fall Honor Roll. In total, UMass as an institution had 150 student-athletes earn a spot on the list.
- Casey Aubin, Hunter Carey, Logan Greene, Mike Hart, Cooper Mrowka, Alec Norton, Mitchell Page, and Ben Panunzio garnered the laurels for UMass baseball.
Set in `Stone'
- The winningest head coach in team history, UMass skipper Mike Stone is in his 29th season directing the Minutemen baseball program. In that timeframe, Stone has helped UMass to 670 victories, recording eight Atlantic 10 regular season championships, along with two A-10 postseason titles and two trips to the NCAA Tournament. Nearly 40 of his former players have gone on to play professional baseball.
Cole Joins UMass Staff
- Massachusetts native and former southpaw Nate Cole begins his first season with UMass as an assistant coach. Cole comes to Amherst after spending eight years at Southern Connecticut State in the same capacity. His expertise in pitching helped develop SCSU into one of the top Division II staffs in the country.
- During his playing days at Central Connecticut State, Cole helped the Blue Devils to two Northeast Conference championships and two appearances in two NCAA Regionals (2004, 2007). He graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Eight is Great
- Throughout the 2016 season, the Minutemen will play in eight different states: South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, and Virginia.
On Deck
- The Minutemen next begin a stretch of four consecutive home games within the confines of Earl Lorden Field, welcoming Saint Joseph's to Western Massachusetts for a three-game series. The set opens on Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
- UMass leaves New England just once more--traveling to Richmond for a three-game series from May 6-8.
Follow UMass Baseball on Social Media
- Fans can follow the Minutemen on Twitter @UMassBaseball for up to the minute updates, photos, and other news around the team. In addition, fans who use Facebook can visit Facebook.com/UMassBaseball for the latest with the squad.
