May 2, 2006

AMHERST, Mass - The Minutemen (10-22, 8-10 A-10) continue their home stand this week on Thursday, May 4 against the Siena Saints (18-24-1, 9-9 MAAC). Wednesday's game against the Vermont Catamounts was CANCELED due to inclement weather. The team is coming off a tough week where they lost four out of five including two losses to conference foe Temple. In their weekend series vs. Temple UMass was outscored 28 to 16.

One of the bright spots last weekend for UMass was freshman Jim Macdonald. The Cheshire, Conn. native went 4-9 with three runs and three RBI including a home run on Sunday. This raised his season batting average to .245. He has also drove in 15 RBI and scored 17 runs himself, playing as the primary designated hitter.

Ryan Franczek ended his 12-game hitting streak on Friday but rebounded Saturday with a 3-5 performance. His average is now at .328 and he has scored a team-leading 27 runs.

The Minutemen look to get better pitching performances this week in order to get some better end results. Coach Mike Stone will send freshman Tom Cote to the mound Tuesday. Cote struggled in his outing Sunday against Temple when he let up three earned runs off two hits in a third of an inning. He has an 0-4 record this year with a 10.29 ERA.

Wednesday's starter has not been determined yet but fans may see either freshman Mike Dicato or sophomore Aaron Smith. In a team-leading 14 appearances, including his first collegiate start last week at Fenway Park for the Beanpot, Mike Dicato has compiled a 1-2 record with a 5.32 ERA. In his last start against Northeastern he lasted 4 and 2/3 innings and allowed four runs. Aaron Smith has appeared eight times this year for the Minutemen, including two starts. He has a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings.

Siena is coming off a good weekend where they swept Iona and currently have a five-game winning streak. Hot-hitting Jake Willis has led the offense with a .388 batting average, six home runs, 40 RBI, and a .635 slugging percentage.

Vermont took three out of four last weekend from Albany. Their pitching has struggled this year putting together a 6.57 ERA, while their offense is paced by senior outfielder Kyle Brault who leads the Catamounts in average (.349), home runs (seven), RBI (38), doubles (15), and slugging percentage (.635).

Go to umassathletics.com to follow the game via gametracker and for the game recap and updated stats. First pitch is expected at 3 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday.