Box Score NEWPORT, RI - The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth baseball team had a nine-run ninth-inning explosion wiped out by rain as they defeated host Salve Regina, 11-6 in eight innings in a non-conference game at Cardines Field Wednesday evening.
The Corsairs scored nine times in the top of the ninth, but since the game was halted by rain before the ninth could be completed, the final score reverted to what it had been at the end of eight innings.
The Seahawks took an early lead when catcher Dominick Di Sano homered in the bottom of the second, but the Corsairs came back with three runs in the top of the third. Sophomore left fielder Luke Bomback (Swansea, MA/Case HS) doubled home a run, then senior catcher Matt Worden (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford HS) doubled home two more. Right fielder Tyler Colby singled home a run for the Seahawks in the bottom of the third.
Sophomore center fielder Ryan Medeiros (Acushnet, MA/New Bedford HS/Eckerd) homered for UMD in the fourth, and then the Corsairs added four in the fifth. Sophomore shortstop Nate Farias (Fall River, MA/Durfee HS) knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly, senior designated hitter Tyler White (Westport, MA/Westport HS/Massasoit CC) doubled home two more, and freshman second baseman Taylor Cacciola (West Greenwich, RI/Exeter HS) singled in a fourth.
Left fielder Ryan Sweenor singled home two runs as SRU got three in their half of the fifth. In the top of the sixth, UMD added a pair on Bomback's sacrifice fly and an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Alex Newton (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy/Franklin Pierce).
Freshman right fielder Connor Shaw (Goffstown, NH/Goffstown HS) hit a three-run homer for UMass Dartmouth in the top of the ninth, but it was wiped out by the rain.
Junior left-hander Wayne Bolz (Billerica, MA/Billerica Memorial HS), who relieved starter Richard Budion (Brewster, MA/Cape Cod Tech HS) in the bottom of the fifth inning and allowed just one run in the final 3 1/3 innings, earned the win and improved to 1-0. Branden Hoxsie started for SRU and took the loss.
"Our approach at the plate was fantastic, we really played with an edge," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Bob Prince. "We hit well, it was a complete effort. Wayne Bolz came in and threw well for us; he really settled the game down for us on the defensive side. He threw strikes, pitched with a really good pace, and helped us protect the lead. Richie Budion, who started, went out and threw well also, allowing us to stay in the game."
The Corsairs improved to 8-11 with the victory, while the Seahawks dropped to 16-7 with the defeat. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they visit Rivier Thursday. Salve Regina will visit Nichols Saturday.
UMASS DARTMOUTH BASEBALL
