University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, May 4
Amherst, Mass.
11:30 a.m.
University of Massachusetts
17-21, 8-8
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Davidson
22-19, 10-6
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Davidson
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Massachusetts
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Photo by: Ben Barnhart - UMass Athletics
Lasko Posts Complete Game Win as Minutemen Split Doubleheader vs. Davidson
May 04, 2019 | Baseball
Senior right-hander claims Massachusetts’ top career strikeout mark in program-record 46th start
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts baseball split a doubleheader against Atlantic 10 foe Davidson, both by a 2-1 score, on Saturday at Earl Lorden Field. The twin bill was scheduled after Friday's originally scheduled series opener was postponed due to rain. The rubber game of the three-game set is slated for Sun., May 5 at noon.
Game 1
Massachusetts 2, Davidson 1
Senior right-hander Justin Lasko dealt a complete game two-hitter and surrendered just a solo home run as Lasko (3-5) went the distance for the fourth time this season. He struck out seven batters in the victory and walked just two, taking sole possession of first place in program history in career strikeouts (237) and games started (46).
Lasko entered the game needing four strikeouts to tie Carl Boteze (1965-67) and Jeff Reardon (1974-77) for the program record (234) while also surpassing former Minuteman Jared Freni (2007-10) in the career starts category.
On a day in which UMass recognized its 1969 team that reached the College World Series, it was fitting that Lasko set the strikeout record with many of Boteze's former teammates in attendance at Earl Lorden Field.
Junior Eddy Hart went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and sophomore Luke Oliphant scored both runs to power the Minutemen victory.
Junior Nolan Kessinger helped Massachusetts strike first with some small ball in the third inning. Oliphant led off with a single to center field and moved up two bases on a knock from Hart. A nice safety squeeze on the first pitch saw Kessinger lay down a bunt toward the first base side as Oliphant slid head-first into home safely, beating the throw to the plate.
Lasko claimed the top strikeout spot with his fifth of the day to start the fifth inning, fanning Ruben Fontes on four pitches. He returned to the dugout at inning's end to an ovation from the UMass fans and was congratulated by his teammates.
Fontes would come out on top in his next trip to the plate, leveling the score at one-apiece on a solo shot over the right field fence in the top of the seventh.
Massachusetts went back in front for good in the bottom half. With Oliphant at second base, Hart clubbed a 1-0 pitch to straight away center field, only for the ball to sail over the head of Davidson center fielder Trevor Candelaria and plating Oliphant with what proved the game-winning run.
Lasko made quick work in the final two frames, retiring the Wildcats in order to lock up the victory.
For Davidson, Casey Sutherland (6-1) took the tough luck loss despite also dealing a complete game, scattering seven hits, walking two and striking out three.
Game 2
Davidson 2, Massachusetts 1
With first pitch delayed roughly an hour due to a brief rain shower between games, the nightcap began at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The entirety of the game's scoring came in the third inning and all by way of the long ball. Davidson's Eric Jones put the Wildcats ahead, 2-0, with a two-run shot into left, before senior Alec Norton led off the bottom half and smacked a 1-1 pitch into the left field bushes to narrow the deficit to 2-1.
Unfortunately for UMass, the Minutemen would spend the rest of game two looking for the tying run but unable to equalize. With pitchers on both sides making quick work, the Maroon and White were unable to move runners past second base in search of the tie.
UMass had a late opportunity in the ninth inning when Kessinger opened up with a single through the right side, moving up 90 feet when redshirt sophomore Anthony Videtto put down a sac bunt. But a pair of strikeouts stranded Kessinger at second and brought the ball game to an end.
Allen Barry (6-2) claimed the win with seven innings of one-run ball and Gabe Levy recorded his eighth save. The loss went to sophomore Sean Harney (3-4).
For the latest news and updates around UMass baseball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassBaseball.
Game 1
Massachusetts 2, Davidson 1
Senior right-hander Justin Lasko dealt a complete game two-hitter and surrendered just a solo home run as Lasko (3-5) went the distance for the fourth time this season. He struck out seven batters in the victory and walked just two, taking sole possession of first place in program history in career strikeouts (237) and games started (46).
Lasko entered the game needing four strikeouts to tie Carl Boteze (1965-67) and Jeff Reardon (1974-77) for the program record (234) while also surpassing former Minuteman Jared Freni (2007-10) in the career starts category.
On a day in which UMass recognized its 1969 team that reached the College World Series, it was fitting that Lasko set the strikeout record with many of Boteze's former teammates in attendance at Earl Lorden Field.
Junior Eddy Hart went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and sophomore Luke Oliphant scored both runs to power the Minutemen victory.
Junior Nolan Kessinger helped Massachusetts strike first with some small ball in the third inning. Oliphant led off with a single to center field and moved up two bases on a knock from Hart. A nice safety squeeze on the first pitch saw Kessinger lay down a bunt toward the first base side as Oliphant slid head-first into home safely, beating the throw to the plate.
Lasko claimed the top strikeout spot with his fifth of the day to start the fifth inning, fanning Ruben Fontes on four pitches. He returned to the dugout at inning's end to an ovation from the UMass fans and was congratulated by his teammates.
Fontes would come out on top in his next trip to the plate, leveling the score at one-apiece on a solo shot over the right field fence in the top of the seventh.
Massachusetts went back in front for good in the bottom half. With Oliphant at second base, Hart clubbed a 1-0 pitch to straight away center field, only for the ball to sail over the head of Davidson center fielder Trevor Candelaria and plating Oliphant with what proved the game-winning run.
Lasko made quick work in the final two frames, retiring the Wildcats in order to lock up the victory.
For Davidson, Casey Sutherland (6-1) took the tough luck loss despite also dealing a complete game, scattering seven hits, walking two and striking out three.
Game 2
Davidson 2, Massachusetts 1
With first pitch delayed roughly an hour due to a brief rain shower between games, the nightcap began at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The entirety of the game's scoring came in the third inning and all by way of the long ball. Davidson's Eric Jones put the Wildcats ahead, 2-0, with a two-run shot into left, before senior Alec Norton led off the bottom half and smacked a 1-1 pitch into the left field bushes to narrow the deficit to 2-1.
Unfortunately for UMass, the Minutemen would spend the rest of game two looking for the tying run but unable to equalize. With pitchers on both sides making quick work, the Maroon and White were unable to move runners past second base in search of the tie.
UMass had a late opportunity in the ninth inning when Kessinger opened up with a single through the right side, moving up 90 feet when redshirt sophomore Anthony Videtto put down a sac bunt. But a pair of strikeouts stranded Kessinger at second and brought the ball game to an end.
Allen Barry (6-2) claimed the win with seven innings of one-run ball and Gabe Levy recorded his eighth save. The loss went to sophomore Sean Harney (3-4).
For the latest news and updates around UMass baseball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassBaseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lasko, Justin (3-5)
L: SUTHERLAND, Casey (6-1)
Batting:
HR: FONTES, Ruben 1
RBI: FONTES, Ruben 1
Base Running:
RUNS: FONTES, Ruben 1
HBP: NUSSBAUM, Zach 1
Batting:
2B: Hart, Eddy 2
RBI: Hart, Eddy 1 ; Kessinger, Nolan 1
SH: Shapiro, Collin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Oliphant, Luke 2
HBP: Kessinger, Nolan 1 ; Oliphant, Luke 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball3B
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP/UTIL
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