April 2, 2003

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. - Sophomore righthanded pitcher Mike Crane (Braintree, Mass.) struck out 12 batters to lead the University of Massachusetts baseball team to a 7-0 victory over Sacred Heart at Earl Lorden Field. The Minutemen improve to 7-9 on the season with the win, while Sacred Heart falls to 6-12 with the loss.

UMass took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run double by senior first baseman Jeff Altieri (Whitinsville, Mass.). The Minutemen then made it 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth with senior outfielder Matt Boulanger (Westfield, Mass.), sophomore outfielder Jason Twomley (Fitchburg, Mass.) and senior catcher Tom Ellerbrook (Northampton, Mass.) all driving in runs. After a scoreless fifth inning, Massachusetts posted two more runs in the bottom of the sixth as Frank Curreri (Weymouth, Mass.) drove in two runs on a single to left field.

Crane pitched a complete game shutout, earning his third victory of the year. His 12 strikeouts were a UMass season high, as well as a personal career high. He allowed only five men on base as he surrendered three hits and two walks. Righthander Adam Dinihanian took the loss for Sacred Heart, allowing seven runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits in 5-1/3 innings of work. He was relieved by Robert Duell who pitched the remaining 2-2/3 innings, giving up one hit and no runs.

Altieri finished the day two for four with two RBI's, while Curreri was one for four with three RBI's. Junior third baseman Matt Reynolds (South Boston, Mass.) had a solid day at the plate as well, going three for four.

UMass returns to action on Saturday, April 5, when it plays a doubleheader at home against Xavier at 12:00 p.m.

Massachusetts 7, Sacred Heart 0     R  H  E
Sacred Heart (6-12)  000 000 000 -  0  3  2
Massachusetts (7-9)  200 302 00X -  7  8  1
HU: Adam Dinihanian, Robert Duell (6) and Chris Vartuli, Rob McKee (7).
UM: Mike Crane and Tom Ellerbrook.
2B: Jeff Altieri (UM), Matt Boulanger (UM), Jason Maiella (SH).
3B: None.
HR: None.
Win: Mike Crane (3-0). Loss: Adam Dinihanian (1-3). Save: None.