April 25, 2006

Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. - The Massachusetts baseball team (9-20, 7-8 Atlantic 10) dropped the consolation game of the 17th annual Beanpot Tournament to Northeastern (19-15, 12-6 CAA) by the score of 7-6. The Minutemen rallied from down 4-1 to tie the game at 4-4 but were ultimately unable to get over the hump. Ryan Franczek (Chicopee, Mass.) led the UMass hitters, producing three of the team's five hits while scoring three runs. NU's Mike Tamsin was the offensive star of the game, going 3-5 with two RBI and a run scored.

The Minutemen took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as the first two batters, Franczek and Lou Proietti (Hamilton, Ont.), reached base to start the game. With runners on first and second, freshman Adam Tempesta (Brockton, Mass.) followed with a grounder that forced Proietti out at second. However, an excellent slide by Proietti broke up the double play and forced a wild throw from Husky shortstop Arman Sidhu that allowed Franczek to come around with the first run of the game.

Caleb Ginsberg's RBI double in the bottom of the second got the Huskies' offense going as they tied the game at 1-1. Minuteman freshman starter Mike Dicato (Winthrop, Mass.) walked the bases full with two away then issued a walk to Brian Nutting, bringing in the second run of the inning. Mike Tasmin followed with a double down the left field line plating two more Huskies, but Nutting was thrown out at the plate by Franczek's relay throw. NU led 4-1 after 1 ½ complete.

The start was the first of Dicato's collegiate career after making 12 appearances out of the bullpen. Dicato lasted 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out three Huskies.

The Minutemen cut the deficit to two in the third when Proietti stroked a RBI double to left center field scoring Franczek from second. Franczek had singled in the previous at bat, extending his hitting streak to a career- high 11 games.

UMass tied up the game in the bottom half of the fifth manufacturing two runs. Senior Derrick Durepo (Ware, Mass.) came in to score on a bast ball by catcher Caleb Ginsgerg, which also moved Franczek over to third. Tempesta would bring in Franczek on a sacrifice fly to right, which tied the game at 4-4.

The game remained knotted at four apiece until the Huskies reclaimed the lead in the seventh on an RBI double by Jeff Maher down the left field line as the NU pulled ahead 5-4. A Dan Milano two-out single added an insurance run, scoring Maher from second to make it 6-4. Maher finished the day 1-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

UMass added a run in the bottom of the eighth with a two-out RBI single by Bryan Garrity (Peabody, Mass.). Garrity was outstanding at the plate, going 3-4 with a RBI. The Huskies added a crucial insurance run in the top half of the ninth with another run on a bases-loaded walk by Chris Emanuele extending the lead to 7-5.

The Minutemen mounted the appearance of a rally in the bottom of the ninth as they loaded the bases to start the inning. However, a double play and a lineout ended UMass' comeback hopes as the Minutemen were only able to produce one run in the inning for the 7-6 final.

Reliever Trevor Smith pitched four innings allowing two runs on four hits to pick up his fifth win of the year, improving to five and three. Freshman Tom Cote worked 3.1 innings out of the pen allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two, but took the loss falling to 0-4. Matt Morizio worked the ninth inning to pick up his seventh save of the season.

The Minutemen return to action Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. as they travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to face the Eagles of Boston College. A live audio broadcast of tomorrow's game will be available on umassathletics.com with Bob Behler providing the play-by-play. Be sure to check back to umassathletics.com after the game for a complete recap and updated stats.