SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A three-run top of the ninth inning pushed the fourth/fifth ranked Beacons past Western New England University as they earned a 6-3 win Thursday afternoon at Trelease Park.

THE BASICS

#4/5 UMass Boston 6, Western New England University 3

UMass Boston (11-4)
Western New England U. (9-4)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Even at 3-3, and looking to get back on the winning track Eddie Riley (Quincy, Mass.) gave the Beacons the decisive go-ahead run on a lead-off solo home run in the top of the ninth.  UMB would then load the bases and would plate their second run of the inning and fifth of the day on a bases loaded walk.  The Beacons final run of the night came on a sac-fly by Nick Herzog (Riverhead, N.Y.), which scored Dave Murphy (Plymouth, Mass.), who reached on a single to left field.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Beacons saw Bobby Tramondozzi (Peabody, Mass.) close out the contest in dominating fashion as he retired the side in order.  In a 1.2 innings of work, Tramondozzi allowed just one hit and had a strikeout to improve to 2-0 on the year.

Despite the victory, the Beacons offense once again struggled to get anything going in the non-conference match-up.  After surrendering two runs in the bottom of the first, UMB cut the deficit to one on a Kyle Boudrias (Medford, Mass.) sac-fly. However, the Golden Bears pushed their lead back to two in the bottom half of the inning.

UMB would tack on their second run of the day on another sac-fly, this time with Riley driving in the run.  Herzog scored the crucial tying run on a bases loaded hit by pitch. 

Murphy led the Beacons with a pair of runs and finished 2-for-4 with a double.  Herzog also had a double in the victory and had two RBI, along with Riley. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• All-time the Beacons are now 5-3 against the Golden Bears
• UMB has now won four straight over WNEU with Thursday's win also marking the Beacons first-ever Trelease Park.
• On the day the Beacons combined for 11 hits, the most since their win over nationally-ranked St. Scholastica
• The Beacons bullpen was solid in the win as they allowed just three hits and one earned run over 8.1 innings; They also combined for eight strikeouts
• With the win head coach Brendan Eygabroat now needs just eight more wins for his 300th

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will host Roger Williams University tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Monan Park.