Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – A five-run first inning was all junior pitcher Sean Callahan (Colchester, Vt.) needed as UMass Dartmouth defeated Johnson & Wales (RI) 8-0 Thursday afternoon in its 2016 home opener. The Corsairs won their fourth-straight game to improve to 6-4 on the year, while the Wildcats fall to 8-4.
Sophomores Jack Harrington (Barnstable, Mass.) and Kenny Michael (Norwood, Mass.) each put up three-hit days, with Michael leading UMass Dartmouth with three RBI including his first home run of the season. Junior Taylor Cacciola (West Greenwich, R.I.) also sent out a long ball to drive in two runs.
The shutout marks the first for the Corsair pitching staff since April 9, 2014 when UMass Dartmouth defeated Salve Regina 2-0. The Corsair bats have been efficient recently, scoring eight home runs in three games, with multiple home runs in each.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Corsairs bats came alive. After a ground to lead off the inning, freshman Erick Ramirez (Boston, Mass.) singled through the gap to right center field. Cacciola then sent the 1-0 pitch over the fence in dead center field for his second home run of the year. Harrington hit a double down the right field line, only to be scored on a double by classmate Jose Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass.). Michael then belted the second home run of the inning over the right center field fence.
As the game went on, both pitchers fell into a groove. Neither team would cross the plate again until the bottom of the sixth, when Vasquez stroked his second double of the game and scored on a Michael single to right field.
The score would remain 6-0 in favor of the Corsairs until the bottom of the eighth inning. Harrington singled to right field, and pinch runner Jimmy Folco (Portsmouth, RI.), advanced to third on a single past the first baseman by sophomore Mac Curran (Lakeville, Mass.). Freshman Ryan Ainslie (Weymouth, Mass.) beat out an infield single to the shortstop, which scored Folco and advanced pinch runner Zach Courier (Mansfield, Mass.) to third. Freshman center fielder DeVon King (Carver, Mass.) singled to left field, scoring Courier from third to increase the Corsairs' lead to 8-0.
Callahan improved to 2-0 on the year upon scattering just three hits over eight innings and striking out four Wildcats. JWU junior Lane Compton (Freeland, Mich.) falls to 1-3 on the year after six innings of work and allowing nine hits, where two were long balls, and striking out seven.
The Corsairs continue their six-game home stand this Saturday when they host Curry College, with first pitch slated for 12 p.m.
