BOSTON, Mass. – A four-run top of the seventh for Westfield State University would be the deciding inning as the Owls edged baseball by the final of 7-6 Tuesday evening at Monan Park.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 6, Westfield State University 7

UMass Boston (8-8)
Westfield State University (9-8)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Looking to at-least tie the game in the bottom half of the ninth, the Beacons got a leadoff single by Josh Lopez (New Haven, Conn.).  The sophomore infielder, then advanced to second on a wild pitch.  The Owls got their first out of the inning as they got Lopez out at third base, which allowed Dan Mantoni (Northbridge, Mass.) to reach on a fielder's choice.

Dave Murphy (Plymouth, Mass.) then moved the tying run over to third, and represented the game-winning run as he reached second base.  Unfortunately, the Owls Tyler Tongue managed to strikeout the next batters to earn the save, his second, and the victory for Westfield State.

Anthony Searles (Shelton, Conn.) had a huge day for the Beacons as he recorded a single, double, and triple in the non-conference loss.  The junior catcher also accounted for two runs, and had an RBI.  Murphy continued his streak of doubles, as he recorded his seventh in the last five games.

The Beacons drew first blood in the bottom of the second, before adding two more runs in the fourth.  The Owls then tied the game at 3-3, in the fifth, but that was short lived as the Beacons regained the lead in the bottom of the inning.  They then made it a three run game in the sixth as they tacked on two more runs. 

However, the Owls four-run seventh proved to be the deciding factor, with the loss going to Steve Consiglio (Southbury, Conn.), who allowed one run on one hit.  Brian Hollister earned the victory for Westfield State, after going just 1.1 innings.

BY THE NUMBERS

• All-time Westfield State now leads the Beacons 23-10
• Bobby Tramondozzi (Peabody, Mass.) got the start on Tuesday and went 4.2 and allowed three runs on six hits and had three strikeouts in the no-decision
• The Beacons combined for 12 hits, while Westfield State finished with 11

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will host Western New England University tomorrow at 3 p.m.