March 14, 2004

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Massachusetts baseball team (2-3) fell at South Florida (13-5) this afternoon, 7-5, at Red McEwen Field despite pounding out 12 hits including a pair from five different players.

The Minutemen and South Florida were tied, 3-3 at the end of the second, with the UMass runs scored by Bill Rankin, Jason Twomley and Derrick Durepo. Rankin highlighted the attack with a two-out, RBI triple.

South Florida broke things open with three runs in the fifth, and held a 6-3 advantage until the Minutemen answered with two in the seventh. Cullan Maumus and Mike Athas each notched RBI singles to pull UMass with in one, 6-5.

South Florida would add one run in the eighth, while limiting UMass just one hit over the final two innings.

UMass starter Mike Crane went seven innings on his first start of the season, allowing just four hits. In addition, of the six runs Crane allowed only four earned.

UMass baseball returns to action on Tuesday, March 16 against Northern Iowa. The first pitch is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, Fla.