April 20, 2004

BROCKTON, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts baseball team (13-11) lost a heartbreaker to Northeastern (15-10) in the semifinals of the Baseball Beanpot Classic at Campanelli Stadium this evening. The first base umpire called a balk in the bottom of the eighth inning allowing the eventual winning run to cross the plate for the Huskies.

The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Brad Czarnowski was hit by a pitch. Sidhu singled. Chris Emanuele fouled out. Heriot singled to right for score Czarnowski and advance Sidhu to third. Paul Koslowski hit a sac fly to right field to score Sidhu. Heriot stole second then scored on a throwing error by UMass.

But the Minutemen answered with two runs in the third and tied the game with a run in the sixth. Huskies releiver Dave Pellegrine entered the game in the sixth inning and shut down the Minutemen's offense, not allowing a single hit.

In the bottom of the eighth, Sidhu led off with a stand-up double to left center. UM's Scott Ratliff relieved Devin Barnett, who went seven innings, giving up three earned runs off six hits. Chris Emmanuele struck out swinging. Heriot walked. Sidhu advanced to third on a wild pitch, then scored on a balk for the game winner.

Minutemen freshman starter Devin Barnett turned in another solid outing last into the eighth inning. He went over 100 pitches and retired 14 in a row at one point, but suffered the loss.

UMass will face Harvard (14-14-1) on Wednesday, Apr. 21, in Campanelli Stadium beginning at 5:00 p.m.