University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, March 16
Winter Haven, Fla.
7:15 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
vs
Bradley
Minutemen Conclude Spring Break With Pair Against Bradley
March 15, 2018 | Baseball
Winners in four straight, UMass will cross paths with Braves at Chain of Lakes Park
| University of Massachusetts Baseball Game Notes | |
| Games 9-10 | Massachusetts (5-3 overall) vs. Bradley (10-4 overall) |
| Date | Time | Friday, March 16-Saturday, March 17 | 7:15 p.m./1 p.m. |
| Location | Weather | Winter Haven, Fla. (Chain of Lakes Park) Friday: 79 Degrees, Sunny, Chance of Rain: 0% Saturday: 83 Degrees, Sunny, Chance of Rain: 10% |
| Series History | Bradley leads, 2-1 Last Meeting: Bradley 3, Massachusetts 2 | March 13, 2011 |
| Live Video | None |
| Live Statistics | Sidearm Stats |
| @UMassBaseball | @UMassAthletics | |
| UMass Baseball | UMass Athletics | |
| Probable Starters | Massachusetts RHP Justin Lasko (0-0, 1.93 ERA); LHP Brooks Knapek (1-1, 5.14 ERA) Bradley LHP Cole Cook (2-2, 5.40 ERA); RHP Sam Lund (2-0, 3.00 ERA) |
| Season Statistics | Massachusetts | Bradley |
Batting Practice
A two-game series with Missouri Valley Conference foe Bradley awaits University of Massachusetts baseball as the Minutemen conclude their spring break trip with a four-game winning streak on the line. The first contest of the pair is scheduled for Fri., March 16 at 7:15 p.m. with the finale slated for 1 p.m. on Sat., March 17. Both will be played in Winter Haven, Florida as part of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational and at Chain of Lakes Park, the former spring training home of the Boston Red Sox (1966-92) and Cleveland Indians (1993-2008).
Recap in a Minute
UMass enters the weekend on the heels of a three-game sweep over Bucknell in Kissimmee, Florida. The final game (Wed., March 14) continued a similar pattern of the previous two days as the Minutemen came away with a 12-11 win, notwithstanding some late heroics. After the Bison rallied in the top of the ninth to tie the score at 11-apiece, sophomore Connor Smith smacked his third double of the day to left center field, bringing home Marcus Fry for the game-winning run and giving Massachusetts the walk-off.
Call Them The Comeback Kids
In the Bucknell sweep, Massachusetts was forced to come from behind in each of the three matchups. The last time the Minutemen eliminated consecutive deficits en route to a three-game series sweep was on May 8 and May 9, 2001, when UMass claimed both doubleheader tilts against Saint Joseph's (13-8 and 9-5) before posting an 11-9 triumph to close the weekend.
That year the Maroon and White won the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship after going 16-6 in the league, ultimately finishing the campaign with an overall record of 27-19.
Scouting Bradley
Bradley (10-4 overall) is also in the final stages of its excursion to the Sunshine State, which saw the Braves take one of three from Jacksonville (March 9-11) as well as a single contest against Webber International (March 14). The squad also took No. 19 UCF to 13 innings on Tues., March 13 before the Knights eked out a 6-5 win.
Six Braves hitters are currently batting in excess of .340, led by Brendan Dougherty (.368), helping the ball club to a collective average of .317. Ian Kristan has clubbed three home runs while Derek Bangert boasts a team-high 17 RBI.
UMass is expected to face southpaw Cole Cook on Friday before righty Sam Lund on Saturday. Cook (2-2, 5.40 ERA) most recently threw at Jacksonville on Fri., March 9, going four innings and surrendering four runs. Lund (2-0, 3.00 ERA) pitched 5.2 innings of three-run ball in a win over the same squad on Sun., March 11.
Head coach Elvis Dominguez is in his ninth season at Bradley and collected his 400th career victory against Webber International earlier this week.
The All-Time Series With Bradley
All of Massachusetts' previous three matchups with Bradley have been played in the state of Florida. Before the Braves claimed a 3-2 decision in Lakeland on March 13, 2011, the sides split a pair in DeLand in March of 1985.
A 'Hart' Of Gold
Eddy Hart has reached base safely for the Minutemen in all eight games this season, as well as the final six during his freshman campaign a year ago. His .355 batting average ranks second on the team, just short of Ryan Lever (.361) while three doubles for the Middleboro, Massachusetts product is narrowly topped by Connor Smith's four two-baggers.
You Have Reached Your Destination
In addition to Eddy Hart's reached base streak, he and Ryan Lever have each recorded a hit in seven straight games. Lever (7), Cooper Mrowka (7) and Alec Norton (5) additionally boast active streaks reaching base.
Not To Be Confused With Brothers Osborne
The Minuteman pitching staff features one set of twin brothers in sophomores Brooks Knapek and Carter Knapek. The duo threw back-to-back in a win over Central Connecticut on Sun., March 11, with Brooks earning the win after four no-hit innings of relief, during which he struck out four and surrendered just one walk. Carter then entered for the ninth and posted his first career save. That capped a strong day on the mound for the Minutemen as Justin Lasko started on the hill, striking out five over his four innings of work.
Welcome Back, Coach
A former UMass infielder and captain, head coach Matt Reynolds returns to the Pioneer Valley after three years (2014-17) guiding Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and seven seasons as an assistant coach at Navy (2007-14).
Prior to Navy, Reynolds served as a graduate assistant under Mike Stone at UMass for three seasons (2005-07). He played his final two collegiate seasons in Amherst after transferring from the University of Maine. He earned Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team honors in 2003 and was named the Minutemen's Most Valuable Player the following year.
Summer Catch
Junior right-hander Justin Lasko had two different stints with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the Summer of 2017. Widely regarded as the premier summer collegiate league in the United States, Lasko went 2-0 over his four starts and turned in a 2.79 ERA. Against some of the nation's top bats, the native of Stratford, Connecticut surrendered only two walks in 19.1 innings.
New Faces
UMass welcomes 10 additions to the squad in 2018, a group that includes four pitchers. The newest Minutemen hail from five different states, including Massachusetts (5), New Hampshire (2), Connecticut, Delaware and New York.
All Across The Map
Throughout the 2018 campaign, the Minutemen will play at least one game in seven different states: Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
On Deck
After Saturday's game, the Minutemen will return to the Bay State and prepare to open the home schedule against in-state foe Holy Cross. That game is scheduled for Tues., March 20 with first pitch at 3 p.m. from Earl Lorden Field in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Follow UMass Baseball
Follow UMass baseball on Twitter (@UMassBaseball), Instagram (UMassBaseball) and Facebook (UMass Baseball) for the latest news and updates around the team.
Players Mentioned
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