Quincy, MA - The UMass Boston Beacons (9-15)handed the Suffolk University Rams their first non-conference loss up north as their offense exploded for 13 runs for a 13-8 victory Tuesday evening.
UMass-Boston jumped out quick scoring four runs in the first inning. Freshman Mark McCormack (Shelton,CT) got the game started doubling off the left field fence. After sophomore Ryan Walsh (Newton, MA) took a hit by pitch, both runners advanced on a double steal putting runners in scoring position. Sophomore Tom Fonatine (Worcester, MA) put the Beacons up 2-0 singling home both runners. Senior Eric Salvador (Middleboro, MA) then doubled into right center plating two more runners. The Beacons did not slow up in the second as freshman Ty Buccetti (Wallingford, CT) got the inning started with a single. McCormick then doubled in his second straight at bat and came around to score as Ryan Walsh crushed a pitch deep into left for his first home run of the season to give the Beacons the early 7-0 lead and also chasing Suffolk starter Jon Handy (South Burlington, VT) from the game.
The Rams would not go quietly however as they added three runs of their own in the bottom half of the second. Senior Keith Carter (Newburyport, MA) led the inning off by drawing a walk, and was followed by a base hit from Handy. Sophomore Mark Addesa (Revere, MA) then connected for his third home run of the run to cut the lead to 7-3.
The Beacons added a run in the third as Buccetti drove in junior Drew Tambling (Sterling, MA) with a fielder's choice.
Suffolk would put up four runs in the fifth inning taking advantage of a pair of defensive miscues by the Beacons and same shaky pitching on the mound. Junior Bobby Barrett (Milton, MA) reached with a base hit, before Handy and Carter each reached base on infield errors. Carter would then sprint home to score on a wild pitch by reliever Danny Gomez (East Boston, MA) as the Rams began to inch closer. Senior Mike Kenneally (Georgetown, MA) then cut the lead to right as he ripped a double into right center plating two runners and cutting the lead to 8-7.
The Rams would even up the score in the next inning as junior Rory Gentile (Gloucester, MA) led the sixth inning off hitting a stand up triple to right. Gentile would then score as the next pitch kicked the dirt and went to the backstop to tie the game at 8-8.
Senior Anthony Lauretto (Pembroke, MA) would shut the Rams down however for the next three innings in relief to pick up his second win of the season.
The Beacons responded quickly in the seventh as the bottom of their order continued to do damage. Junior Connor Reinfurt (Manchester, NH) got the scoring started with a single, and then came around to score as Buccetti hit a single to center in which the ball was misplaced allowing Reinfurt to circle the bases for the lead. Another run came around to score later in the inning as Buccetti scored on a passed ball after a Kevin McAvey strikeout.
UMAss Boston tacked on three more in the eight as Drew Tambling hit a 2-run homer to center. Mark McCormick then doubled for the third time in the game to drive in one more run for the Beacons.
Sophomore Nick Okeefe (Taunton, MA) took the loss in relief for the Rams as three of the four batters he faced reached base. Sophomore Charles Kilgore (Exeter, NH) pitched well out of the bullpen for Suffolk. Kilgore kept the Rams in the game for five strong innings only allowing one run on three hits as he struck out two hitters.
The Beacons play again tomorrow as they travel to Wellesley to take on Babson College. Suffolk will travel to Springfield to take on Western New England College.
UMass Boston 13, Suffolk 8 (Apr 14, 2009 at Quincy, MA)
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UMass Boston........ 431 000 230 - 13 13 4 (9-15)
Suffolk............. 030 041 000 - 8 11 3 (21-5)
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Pitchers: UMass Boston - Mike Andriano; Andrew LeBrun(2); Danny Gomez(5); Anthony Lauretto(6).
Suffolk - Jon Handy; Charles Kilgore(2); Nick Okeefe(7); Kevin McAvey(7); Alex Torres(8).
Win-Anthony Lauretto(2-2) Loss-Nick Okeefe(0-1) T-3;15 A-68
HR UMBBB - Ryan Walsh; Drew Tambling.
HR SUF - Mark Addesa.
Handy faced 3 batters in the 2nd.