Minutemen Drop Doubleheader At Temple :: Mike Athas goes five for seven in the two games.

April 27, 2003

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Junior shortstop Mike Athas (Holyoke, Mass.) went five for seven with a double, two runs scored and two runs batted in, but it was not enough as the University of Massachusetts baseball team was swept in a doubleheader at Erny Field. The Owls won the first game 6-5, before posting a 9-7 victory in the second contest. UMass now stands 14-15 overall and 8-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, while Temple moves to 16-18 overall and 8-6 in the Atlantic 10.

In the first game, Temple led 6-2 heading into the seventh, when the Minutemen nearly rallied for the win. Senior designated hitter Chris Morgan (Cranston, R.I.) had an RBI groundout, then senior first baseman Jeff Altieri (Whitinsville, Mass.) and junior third baseman Matt Reynolds (South Boston, Mass.) both followed with RBI singles to make it 6-5. But Temple relief pitcher Brian Ursone was then able to record the final out with the potential tying run on second base.

In the second contest, the Owls held a 7-4 lead in the sixth, before UMass scored three runs to tie the game. Senior catcher Tom Ellerbrook (Northampton, Mass.) has a two-run triple and Athas added an RBI single with no one out. The Minutemen had runners on first and second with one out later in the inning, when Altieri lined into an inning ending double play. Temple then scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.

The Minutemen and the Owls will conclude their three-game series tomorrow, April 28, at 11:30 a.m.

Game One: Temple 6, Massachusetts 5   R  H  E
Massachusetts            000 200 3 -  5  8  1
Temple                   050 010 X -  6  8  0
UM: Eric Chown and Tom Ellerbrook.
TU: Justin Mendek, Brian Ursone (7) and Jeff Roma.
2B: Matt Boulanger (UM), Al Roach (TU).
3B: None.
HR: Rob Cuccinotta (TU), Al Roach (TU), Pete Colon (TU).
Win: Justin Mendek (2-3). Loss: Eric Chown (4-3). Save: Brian Ursone (2).

Game Two: Temple 9, Massachusetts 7           R  H  E
Massachusetts (14-15, 8-6 A-10)  111 013 0 -  7 11  1
Temple (16-18, 8-6 A-10)         051 102 X -  9  9  2
UM: Keith Doherty, Jason Hickey (4), Scott Ratliff (6) and Tom Ellerbrook.
TU: Mike Caron, Chris Kurtz (6) and Jeff Roma.
2B: Mike Athas (UM), Jeff Altieri (UM), Frank Curreri (UM), Pete Colon (TU).
3B: Jason Twomley (UM), Tom Ellerbrook (UM).
HR: Jason Connor (TU), John Quigley (TU).
Win: Chris Kurtz (5-1). Loss: Jason Hickey (0-1). Save: None.