BOSTON, MA (April 7, 2024) – The Beacons put up 17 runs and allowed 7 through two games from Monan Park on Sunday against the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine as UMass Boston cruises to an undefeated 6-0 through conference play.

Game One

Graduate right-hander Max Moss started on the bump for the Beacons in game one, and went the distance for six innings. Moss allowed four runs on seven hits behind three errors in the Beacons' defense, as he threw for 95 pitches against 29 batters while striking out six and walking three. Senior left-hander Thomas Kierce came in for just the seventh inning and faced five batters as he allowed no runs on two hits, and was decided the winner following nine innings to improve to 3-4 on the year. Seniors Brenan Ferrari and Sam Gray each pitched for the remaining two innings, with the two each facing three batters and striking out one. Gray was credited with his second save of the season, following his performance on the mound in the top of the ninth that saw no runs on no hits and no errors, as UMass secured the tight 4-5 victory in game one.

As a team, the Beacs recorded five runs on 10 hits through 29 ABs, led by Senior Aidan Blake and junior Mariano Jimenez. Blake recorded two RBIs in two ABs with one recorded hit. Jimenez recorded one run and three RBIs off a three-run no-doubter over the Monan Park Monster in the bottom of the sixth. Together, Blake and Jimenez was enough firepower for the Beacons to bring home the victory in game one.

UMass Boston opened game one on the scoreboard following Blake's sacrifice fly-out to center field that was deep enough to bring in senior Bostyn Burris for the first run of the game. Five innings of zeros across the board for both teams later, and the next time the scoreboard saw tallies was in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Jimenez's blast put the Beacons on top 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

The Huskies found some footing in the top of the seventh, as they recorded four runs on four hits and left two on base to tie the scoring with just two chances remaining at the plate.

The final game-winning run came off Blake's RBI single down the third base line to bring home sophomore Justin Gouveia as the Beacs led 5-4 to close out game one, improving to 13-7 following the win in game one, as their streak jumped to seven consecutive W's for UMass Boston following game one.

Game Two

Starting on the mound for the Beacons in game two was Senior Dillon Ryan, who improved to 3-0 following a five-inning stint on the bump. Ryan faced 23 batters, struck out eight, walked just two, and allowed just three hits for three Huskies' runs. Sophomore Justin Defalco came in for the sixth inning, followed by senior Tim Cianciolo for the final seventh inning, with each of the two relievers facing four batters, striking out two while allowing no runs, on no hits and no errors.

The Beacons put up a season-high 14 runs in game two on just seven hits, paired with 12 RBIs, 10 walks, and three stolen bases. Burris went two for four at the plate with one run scored and five runs batted in.  First-year Brandon Gaer went one for three at the dish including a three-run homerun in the fatal fifth inning. Jimenez was perfect from the plate in game two with two runs on two hits in two plate appearances. Jimenez recorded two more stolen bases in the win for his tenth total on the season, all without being caught stealing. First-year Elliot Miles also recorded a stolen base in the effort to go along with his two runs in two plate appearances.

The Beacons would score one in back-to-back innings to begin game two, the first coming off Burris' double to left field that brought home Gouveia. The second run being scored in the second inning following Miles' stolen base at home plate to score unearned.

The Huskies were able to break the ice in the fourth and fifth inning, as they recorded one run off two hits and an error in the fourth inning, followed by two runs on one hit in the top of the fifth inning, as the Beacs took the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning down 3-2.

The fifth inning proved fatal for the Huskies, as UMass Boston rallied for 10 runs on just three hits off two Huskies' errors. Blake would tie the game off a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Sophomore Max Garner battled to a walk with the bases loaded to bring in Gaer. Sophomore Breon Parker took one for the team of the thigh, as his dead leg brought home Miles to score with the bases still loaded. Gouveia would keep the Huskies' pitcher rattled as he would fight to another base on balls, thought brought home Jimenez from third on the walk. Following the pitching change, Burris would clear the bases with a single to shortstop that forced an overthrow allowing Burris to take second comfortably to bring home the Beacons' seventh, eighth, and ninth run of the evening, the fifth of the inning. Blake would force another walk as Burris would advance to third on a wild pitch. Gaer kept the foot on the gas with a three-run moon-shot to score himself along with Burris and Blake for the final runs of the inning.

The Beacons weren't finished running up the score, as Burris would work the plate to another walk to bring in Jimenez with the bases loaded. The 14^th and final run of the onslaught came on a sacrifice flyout by Blake that would bring home Parker.

With the doubleheader sweep on Sunday from Monan Park, the Beacons' baseball team improves to 14-7 on eight consecutive victories to go undefeated 6-0 through Little East Conference play with their next test scheduled for Tuesday, April 9^th against the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth in the battle of the UMasses from North Dartmouth, Massachusetts at 3:00pm. Live stats and video coverage can be found at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (sidearmsports.com).