Box Score AUBURNDALE, Fla.—First baseman Scott Paulus delivered a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to drive in the decisive run to lead Ramapo (N.J.) to an 8-6 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth baseball team this morning in the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational at Lake Myrtle Field #4.
The Roadrunners (4-1) rallied for three runs in their last at-bat to collect their third consecutive win, while the Corsairs saw their three-game winning streak snapped with the loss.
Junior first baseman Alberto Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass./O'Bryant) went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in to lead UMass Dartmouth, while classmate George Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Sophomore left fielder Connor Shaw (Goffstown, N.H.) drove in two runs for the Corsairs.
UMass Dartmouth raced out to an early advantage, crossing the plate three times in the first inning. Junior centerfielder Ryan Medeiros (Acushnet, Mass./ New Bedford) led off the bottom of the first with a double, marking his fifth consecutive contest with an extra base hit. Junior shortstop Nate Farias (Fall River, Mass./Durfee) and Agostini each drew a walk to load the bases. Vasquez laced a bases clearing double to provide the Corsairs with a 3-0 lead.
Trailing 3-1 in the sixth, Ramapo left fielder Kevin Kelly launched a three-run homer to put the "visitors" in front, 4-3. UMass Dartmouth responded immediately with a run in the bottom frame, when Shaw plated Agostini on a fielder's choice.
The see-saw battle continued into the seventh frame as the Roadrunners strung together three consecutive singles with two-outs to produce their fifth run. Paulus recorded the third base knock to drive in shortstop Joe Venturino.
The Corsairs stormed back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to regain their lead. Shaw delivered a clutch, two-out single to drive in the game-tying run, while junior catcher Tyler Andrade (Acushnet, Mass./Greater New Bedford) followed suit with a RBI single to put UMass Dartmouth back on top, 6-5.
Sophomore Aaron Chouinard (Swansea, Mass./Joseph Case) received a no-decision in his first start of the season. In six innings of work, he scattered six hits and three earned runs, while striking out five. Senior Wayne Bolz (Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial) tossed a scoreless eighth inning. Junior Nick Fuller (Acushnet, Mass.) allowed three runs on three hits to suffer the loss.
Mark Doyle earned the victory for Ramapo, hurling the final six innings. He gave up seven hits and three runs, but fanned seven. Doyle relieved Roadrunners' starter, Brian Cottrell, in the fourth.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, when the Corsairs face Fairleigh Dickinson in Winter Haven, Fla.
