May 4, 2007

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AMHERST, Mass.- Senior Travis Munsey (Durham, N.H.) knocked in Bill Rankin (Willington, Conn.) from second base in the bottom of the tenth inning to pushing UMass (18-18, 10-9) past the second-place Richmond Spiders (26-20, 14-5). The win marks UMass' first six-game winning streak since 2003. Senior Bryan Adamski (South Deerfield, Mass.) picked up the win in relief to move to 3-0.

Senior ace Chris Lloyd (North Adams, Mass.) was electric in his start, keeping the Spiders off balance all game with his off-speed pitches. He struggled early but settled down for most of the game. Lloyd did not allow a hit for four straight innings between the fourth and eighth until he was touched up for three runs in the ninth. The righty struck out four and walked only one.

UMass struck first in the third inning. Travis Munsey (Durham, N.H.) hit a dribbler down the right field line and beat out the toss from Richmond pitcher Alex Hale. After advancing to third on a Lou Proietti (Hamilton, Ont.) walk and a Jim Cassidy (Medway, Mass.) groundout, he scored when Adam Tempesta (Brockton, Mass.) grounded out to second base.

The Maroon and White put up another run in the fourth after lead-off batter Ryan Franczek (Chicopee, Mass.), who walked to start the inning, crossed the plate wen Hale balked. UMass had another chance with Bryan Garrity (Peabody, Mass.) on third base, but he was tagged out in a rundown on a failed suicide squeeze.

The Minutemen put on two more runs in the eighth inning when the Richmond defense completely collapsed, committing three errors. All runs in the inning were unearned, giving UMass some insurance heading into the ninth.

With their backs against the wall, the Spiders stormed back in the top of the ninth. Lloyd put the first two batters on base before Joe White blasted a home run to left field, bringing the visitors within one. Bryan Adamski then moved from first base to pitcher to attempt to nail down the win. Unfortunately, some sloppy defense at an inopportune time let Richmond tie the game at four.

In the bottom of the ninth, UMass loaded the bases with two outs. On a three-two pitch, Garrity swung and missed to send the game to extra innings.

After Bryan Adamski (South Deerfield, Mass.) cruised through the Richmond batters in the tenth, Bill Rankin singled and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Munsey then followed with his gamewinning hit up the middle, to score Rankin who was then mobbed by jubilant teammates.

The Minutemen and Spiders will resume their series at Noon on Saturday. Fans who cannot make the action can listen to the game on WMUA 91.1 and via the live audio link on UMassAthletics.com