March 21, 2007

Box Score

Bradenton, Fla.- The UMass Minutemen (2-6) ran into another hot pitcher today as they dropped a low scoring contest 4-0 to the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-8). UMass got stellar starting pitching from sophomore Tim Comiskey (Great River, N.Y.) who threw seven innings allowing three runs on a day where the Minutemen could not muster much offense. The Fighting Illini's starter Aaron Martin had a career best start and was even tougher on opposing batters, pitching eight innings and yielding no runs. The game marked the first time the Minutemen have been shut out this season. The four Illinois runs also tied a season low allowed by UMass. The Minutemen closed out their trip to Florida with a 2-3 record.

In the bottom of the first, UMass looked as though they might get off to a good start when senior Lou Proietti (Hamilton, Ont.) lead off with a single to the centerfield. Unfortunately, sophomore Adam Tempesta (Brockton, Mass.) grounded into a double play to end any hopes of a rally.

The Illini would strike first in the top of the third inning. Illinois' second baseman Ryan Hastings kick started the Illini attack with a double to right center, which putt a man in scoring position with no outs. Hastings would advance to third on a Kyle Hudson single to left. Hudson was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double on the play. With the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away from home, Comiskey served up a single to Ryan Snowden, allowing Hastings to score.

UMass' best chance of the day would come in the bottom half of the third frame. In his first action of the season, senior catcher Frank McPherson singled to center field to start the inning. The next batter, freshman Brian Baudinet (Watertown, Conn.), attempted to bunt runner over, but the Illini were able to throw McPherson out at second on a fielder's choice. With two outs and a man on first, Tempesta forced a walk, advancing Baudinet to second. Senior Bryan Adamski (South Deerfield, Mass.) was also issued a free pass to load the bases. However, the Illini were able to end the scoring threat when Martin struck out sophomore Jim Macdonald (Cheshire, Conn.) for the third out in the inning.

Comiskey continued on cruise control until hitting a rough patch in the top of the sixth. The sophomore hurler surrendered back to back singles to start the inning, putting runners on the corners. Mike Rohde, the third batter of the inning, stepped to the plate and hit a deep fly to centerfielder Bill Rankin (Willington, Conn.). Lars Davis, the runner on third, would tag up for the second Illini run of the contest. Cassidy recorded another out on a fly out before allowing second set of consecutive singles. The back-to-back hits drove in the second Illinois run of the inning, to make the score 3-0.

The Illini would put the final run of the game on the board in the top of the eighth inning with Ryan Walczak (Taunton, Mass.) in to pitch for Comiskey. With two outs, Hastings picked up his third hit of the game with a single to left center. He would then advance to second on a steal when he beat catcher Ben Kessel's (Richboro, Pa.) throw. After a walk to Hudson, Snowden singled up the middle to drive in Hastings, for his game leading second RBI of the game. The run would cap off the offense for the day and run the score to 4-0 Illini.

The Minutemen threatened in the ninth, but came up empty. MacDonald started the Minuteman portion of the inning with a single to third base. Rankin followed with a single to left field, moving pinch runner Cody Kauffman (Blue Bell, Pa.) to second, with UMass' best hitter of late, Jim Cassidy (Medway, Mass.) due up. Cassidy forced a full count but eventually struck out for the first out of the inning. Freshman Mike Donato (East Hartford, Conn.) then came up and hit into a double play to seal the win for the Illini.

UMass had two runners on base only twice in the game, during the third and ninth innings.

Comiskey's final line read seven innings pitched, 11 hits, three runs, three earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts. The outing was the best of the season for UMass starters, but Comiskey was the victim of a lack of run support from his teammates.

Illinois starter Aaron Martin finished with eight innings pitched, scattering eight hits while allowing no runs.

Proietti, Rankin, and Baudinet led the Minutemen offense with two this each. Cassidy also picked up a hit to extend his hitting streak to five games.

UMass is off until Friday when they open the Atlantic 10 portion of the 2007 schedule in Philadelphia, Pa. against the Temple Owls. Game time is 12 p.m. Fans can follow the action via Gametracker on UMassAthletics.com