Quincy, Mass. – The Framingham State College Rams (24-17) scored 10 unanswered runs over the final three innings to top the Suffolk University Rams (21-17) by a 10-5 margin on Wednesday evening in the ECAC Division-III New England Baseball Quarterfinals. Junior Matthew Magazine (Marlborough, Mass.) pitched 7 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to give Framingham State a new single season record in wins with 24.
A five-run eighth inning was the difference in the ball game as Framingham State sent 10 hitters to the plate taking advantage of two Suffolk errors and a pair of walks. Junior Corey Ketterer (Plymouth, Mass.) got the inning started by singling with one out. Junior Sean Callahan (Watertown, Mass.) then doubled and junior Steven Tramontozzi (Watertown, Mass.) followed that up with a walk to load the bases. Down in an 0-2 count, junior Danny Chaisson (Watertwon, Mass.) lined a single into left knocking home a run to cut the deficit to 5-3, chasing Suffolk starter Alex Torres (Framingham, Mass.). Junior Joe Sheehan (Burlington, Mass.) would then draw a bases loaded walk on four straight pitches to make it 5-4. Framingham State then grabbed the lead taking advantage on a Suffolk throwing error as senior Ryan McCarthy (Shrewbury, Mass.) grounded into a fielder’s choice, but the errant throw went down the first base line plating a pair of runs to give Framingham State a 6-5 edge. Junior Justin Wojcik (Dracut, Mass.) singled later in the inning bringing home another run.
Framingham State would take advantage of Suffolk again in the ninth, plating three more runs as they were handed four walks. After three straight walks to load the bases, Chaisson drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right. Ryan McCarthy would pick up an RBI later in the inning as Suffolk walked in their second run of the game with the bases loaded, and Wojcik added some insurance with an RBI-single later in the inning.
Suffolk jumped out to a quick start scoring five runs in the fifth inning, all with two outs. Freshman Chris Stanley (Orange County, Calif.) got the scoring stared as he doubled over the first baseman’s head driving in a pair of runs. Senior Bobby Barrett (Milton, Mass.) followed him with a triple off the right field fence to make it 4-0. Junior Andrew Babb (Ashland, Mass.) followed him up with a RBI-single back up the middle as the Suffolk offense looked strong early.
Magazine would settle in however, not allowing a Suffolk baserunner to reach third base over the next seven innings. Magazine scattered seven singles in the outing, while striking out four. Junior Charlie Spear (Exeter, N.H.) started for Framingham State and only last 1 2/3 innings giving up five unearned runs on four hits.
Suffolk starter Alex Torres pitched well, but was a victim to a poor performance from the bullpen. Torres cruised through the first six innings only allowing three hits, but ran into some trouble in the seventh. Torres allowed eight hits in 7 1/3 innings of work, while only giving up four earned runs and striking out six.
With the win Framingham State now advances to Saturday’s semifinals matchup as they will take on top-seeded Curry College .