University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
4-13
UAlbany
7-11
UAlbany Rallies for 7-6 Decision Over Minutemen
March 26, 2019 | Baseball
Massachusetts battles in bottom of ninth but leaves tying run at second base
Junior Nolan Kessinger had a career-high four RBI as part of a 2-for-4 day with a two-run homer. Three other Minutemen had multi-hit performances in senior Logan Greene (3-for-4), redshirt freshman Collin Shapiro (2-for-4) and redshirt sophomore Connor Smith (2-for-4). Junior Eddy Hart and redshirt sophomore Anthony Videtto each scored twice in the loss.
Massachusetts made quick work at the plate and posted two runs in the bottom of the first. With runners at the corners Videtto beat out a double play ball, allowing Hart to come in from third. After Videtto stole second base, Kessinger laced a single into center field, scoring Videtto and doubling the UMass lead to 2-0.
Two innings later, the Minutemen doubled their lead when Videtto again reached on a fielder's choice, setting up Kessinger to club a two-run shot over the fence in right center–his first of the season and second of his career.
UAlbany was kept off the board until the top of the sixth when the Great Danes put up a three-spot. UMass grabbed one run back in its half of the frame when Shapiro knocked in Smith on a single to right center field, moving the score to 5-3.
The Great Danes evened things up at five-apiece in the eighth with a bases-loaded walk followed by a hit batsman, before Brad Malm and Will Feil led off the ninth with back-to-back homers and gave the visitors a 7-5 advantage.
Massachusetts loaded the bases in its final turn at bat, but could not equalize after Kessinger closed the gap to one run with a sacrifice fly.
Shapiro once again extended his reached base streak to 17 games, covering the entire 2019 season to date, and Hart in addition to senior Ryan Lever reached safely for the 16th straight game.
On the mound, UAlbany's Connor Takacs (2-0) earned the win in relief with two-plus innings of work, setting up Joe Kruszka to pick up his fourth save. Freshman Jack Steele (1-1) was hooked with the loss.
The Minutemen pick up Atlantic 10 play with a three-game series at Dayton, beginning Fri., March 29.
For the latest news and updates around UMass baseball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassBaseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: TAKACS, Connor (2-0)
L: Steele, Jack (1-1)
S: KRUSZKA, Joe (4)
Batting:
2B: WANGENSTEIN, Marc 1 ; BOTTARI, Jason 1
HR: MALM, Brad 1 ; FEIL, Will 1
RBI: OCASAL, Dolan 1 ; WANGENSTEIN, Marc 1 ; MALM, Brad 2 ; FEIL, Will 1 ; TORRES, Peter 2
Base Running:
RUNS: OCASAL, Dolan 1 ; MALM, Brad 2 ; CODISPOTI, Matt 1 ; WINN, Marshall 1 ; FEIL, Will 1 ; BOTTARI, Jason 1
HBP: WANGENSTEIN, Marc 2 ; CODISPOTI, Matt 1 ; TORRES, Peter 1
Batting:
2B: Hart, Eddy 1 ; Smith, Connor 1 ; Lever, Ryan 1
HR: Kessinger, Nolan 1
RBI: Shapiro, Collin 1 ; Videtto, Anthony 1 ; Kessinger, Nolan 4
SH: Lever, Ryan 1
SF: Kessinger, Nolan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hart, Eddy 2 ; Videtto, Anthony 2 ; Kessinger, Nolan 1 ; Smith, Connor 1
SB: Shapiro, Collin 1 ; Videtto, Anthony 2 ; Norton, Alec 1
