Box Score WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – UMass Dartmouth closed out its 2016 Florida trip with a 13-3 final score against William Paterson in eight innings. With the win, the Corsairs head back to New Engalnd holding an 4-4 record, while William Paterson ends their trip down south with a 9-6 slate.
The Corsairs' bats connected early and often. In the bottom of the first, sophomore Ervin Kantardzic (Roslindale, Mass.) reached first on a hit by pitch. Kantardzic stole second following a fly out by freshman Erick Ramirez (Boston, Mass.), and would eventually take third on a passed ball. Sophomore Mac Curran (Lakeville, Mass.) drove in Kantarndizc from third by blasting an unplayable ball to second base.
Sophomore catcher Jack Harrington (Barnstable, Mass.) extended the Corsairs lead by turning around on a fastball and sending it over the right field fence for the first home run of his career.
In the top of the third, the Pioneers would get on the scoreboard when senior Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y.) scored on a wild pitch, after reaching on a single to right center.
In the bottom half of the inning, Kantardzic singled past the third baseman. Ramirez got on base on a hit by pitch, and both scored on a deep double to center field by junior Taylor Cacciola (West Greenwich, R.I). After a Curran walk, sophomore Jose Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass.) dropped down a bunt that the pitcher could not handle, advancing both Cacciola and Curran to scoring position. Sophomore Kenny Michael (Norwood, Mass.) came in to pitch run for Curran at second base, and would score on a Harrington single past the second baseman.
Junior Eriq Colon (Hackensack, N.J.) belted a two run home run in the top of the fourth, driving in senior Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J.).
Ramirez reached on a single to right field in the bottom of the fourth and would score on a single to left center field by Michael.
Sophomore Josh O'Neill (Halifax, Mass.) opened up the bottom of the sixth with a single to left field, and proceeded to steal second and would take third on a ground out by Kantardzic. Ramirez the plated O'Neill, hitting a line drive straight to the center fielder.
The Corsairs would tack on two more on in the bottom of the seventh inning. After walking and advancing on a balk, Michael took third on a throwing error by the second baseman that allowed Harrington to reach first. Freshman Ryan Ainslie (Weymouth, Mass.) scored Michael from third when he flew out to the center fielder. Freshman DeVon King (Carver, Mass.) then singled to center, scoring Harrington from second.
In the bottom of the eighth, O'Neill drew a walk, and Kantardzic doubled down the right field line. Ramirez drove both of them with a deep home run to left field to bring the Corsairs' lead to 13-3.
Senior Steve Colella (Leominster, Mass.) picked up his second win of the year for the Corsairs, going seven innings, striking out seven Pioneers while scattering seven hits. Senior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J.) was credited with the loss, allowing six runs on three hits over two innings.
The Corsairs resume the season up north when they travel to Northboro, Mass. to take on Framingham State on Tuesday with first pitch coming at 3:30 p.m.
