MANSFIELD, Conn. – Baseball advanced in the winner's bracket in the Little East Conference Tournament as they rolled over second-seeded Rhode Island College with an 11-6 victory Thursday evening at the ECSU Baseball Stadium.
THE BASICS
#3 UMass Boston 11, #2 Rhode Island College 6
UMass Boston (26-15)
Rhode Island College (29-9-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
With the win the Beacons will now face the top-seeded and number one ranked Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State University tomorrow at 12 p.m. The winner of that game will advance to the championship series on Saturday, and will need to win just one game to be crowned LEC Champs.
The Beacons offense continued to fire on all cylinders as they pounded the Anchormen hurlers from the first pitch. In the top of the first UMB put-up four-runs and drove the Anchormen starter from the contest.
RIC did respond in-kind in the bottom of the second with a grand slam to tie the game at 4-4. However the momentum from that one swing did not phase the Beacons. After a scoreless third, the Beacons put-up a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while allowing just one RIC run in the bottom half of the fifth.
Looking to put the game out of reach, the Beacons tacked on three more runs in the seventh and eighth innings to seal the victory.
Craig Corliss had a huge day at the plate as the senior designated hitter went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored.
Drew Metzdorf continued to do damage as he registered a 3-for-4 showing to go along with three runs scored and two RBI.
Dillon Ryan got the start and went four complete innings in the no-decision. He struck out five and allowed the four runs on three hits.
DJ Lopes picked-up the win after going two complete innings. The senior struck out three and allowed one run on one hit.
BY THE NUMBERS
- With the win the head coach Brendan Eygabroat needs just six wins for his 400th
- The Beacons are now 2-0 to start the LEC Tournament for the fifth time in the last six years
- UMass Boston is now 36-29 all-time against Rhode Island College
- On the day, the Beacons combined for 14 hits, while RIC managed just six hits, while also being charged with five errors
- The Beacons left 13 runners on base in Thursday's win over the Anchormen
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will face top-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University tomorrow at 12 p.m. in a winner's bracket game.
