Box Score McMinnville, O.R. - UMass Boston Baseball powered their way to a 7-2 victory over Linfield University to stretch their West Coast winning streak to three games.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 7, Linfield University 2
UMass Boston (4-2)
Linfield University (5-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Some bad luck on the basepaths wiped out a pair of opportunities for the Beacons in the first two innings. With the bases empty,
Mariano Jimenez took matters into his own hands, clubbing his second homerun of the season over the outfield wall to open up the scoring, 1-0.
Linfield struck right back at the Beacons in the third inning, stringing together a walk sandwiched by two singles to knot the game at one. The Wildcats threatened to claim their first lead, but
Ethan Hunt locked in to force a groundout, stranding runners at second and third.
In the fourth inning,
Aidan Blake joined in on Jimenez' power party, slugging a leadoff homer to put the Beacons right back out in front, 2-1.
A hit by pitch and two walks loaded the bases for the Beacons in the sixth inning. With an opportunity to stretch the lead,
Mike Meagher took the bat as a pinch hitter and doubled down the left field line. Meagher's extra base hit brought home
Bostyn Burris and Blake to give UMass Boston a 4-1 advantage.
After giving up a leadoff double in the sixth, Hunt laid down the next six batters in order, striking out three. He finished his day with seven strikeouts across seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits to put himself in line for the victory.
After trading runs with the Wildcats in the eighth, the Beacons extended their lead further in the ninth. After being hit by a pitch,
Breon Parker went first to home on a
Justin Gouveia single courtesy of a Linfield error.
Elliot Miles stretched the lead with a double, scoring Gouveia and putting the Beacons out in front 7-2.
Though he faced a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning,
Sam Gray was able to preserve the five-run lead and the victory, shutting the door with a looking striking to close the game.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Gouveia led the way offensively for the Beacons with a pair of base hits for an RBI and a run
- Meagher needed just two at-bats to drive home a trifecta of runs in the victory
- Led by Hunt, the Beacons pitching staff combined to strike out 10 Linfield batters
- Tuesday marked the first-ever meeting between UMass Boston and Linfield
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons play a pair of games against Pacific University and George Fox University at 2 PM and 6:30 PM on Wednesday.
