CASTLETON, Vt. — Senior Mike Knell (Dennis, Mass.) hit three home runs and drove in five runs as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth powered past Castleton University 13-6 in the first game of the Little East Conference baseball doubleheader at Spartan Field. The Corsairs overcame a 5-1 deficit to force extra innings in the nightcap, but the Spartans earned the walk-off 6-5 victory to salvage a split.
Knell enjoyed a monster day at the plate with a combined 6-for-10 performance with five runs scored and five runs batted in to pace UMass Dartmouth (2-6, 2-4 LEC). The Dennis, Mass. product produced 17 total bases in the doubleheader with a single, two doubles, and three round trippers. Knell recorded his third multi-home run game on his career in the opener and first since launching a pair of homers at Keene State College on April 28, 2019.
GAME 1: UMass Dartmouth 13, Castleton 6
UMass Dartmouth demonstrated its power in the opener with five total home runs, the most by the Corsairs since blasting six, four-baggers against Western Connecticut on April 21, 2018. Knell homered in the top of the first to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. He lifted a two-run shot over the left field fence to break a 5-5 tie and provided UMass Dartmouth with some insurance with a solo home run in the eighth.
Junior Tyler Lyons (Wallingford, Conn.) had a season-high three hits, including his first collegiate home run, and two runs scored. Senior Erick Ramirez (Boston, Mass.) collected multiple hits, including a solo shot in the fifth, while Wilcar Moreno (Providence, R.I.) went 2-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored.
Senior Shane Reardon (Kinnelon, N.J.) limited the Spartans to just a hit and a walk, while striking out five in three scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. Classmate Ryan Bruning (Centerville, Mass.) earned the start, but didn't factor into the decision. Freshman Chase Carey (Colchester, Vt.) made his collegiate debut in relief, hurling two innings.
GAME 2: Castleton 6, UMass Dartmouth 5 (10 Innings)
Castleton sandwiched a hit by pitch and an intentional walk between a single to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th. Senior Robbie Carrillo (Melrose, Mass.) was summoned from the bullpen and struck out the first two batters on six total pitches to move the outfielders back to their normal depth. Sophomore Adam Newton (Putney, Vt.) dropped a RBI single in front of the left fielder to give the Spartans a split of the conference twin bill.
UMass Dartmouth extended the ballgame in the top of the ninth inning, when Ramirez laced a one-out single past the third basemen. Ramirez moved into scoring position by stealing second and third and advanced home on a passed ball.
The Corsairs jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first, but Castleton built a 5-1 lead on a junior Evan Keegan (Malone, N.Y.) three-run homer in the bottom of the first and sophomore Samuel Rodriguez (Lakewood, Calif.) two-run double in the third.
Senior Mitch Baker (Braintree, Mass.) drove a two-run homer over the center field fence in the fourth and ripped a RBI single into left field in the sixth to whittle the deficit to 5-4.
Senior Logan Maitland (Tiverton, R.I.) settled down after the third inning and retired eight of the final nine batters he faced to earn a no-decision. Maitland registered eight strikeouts, while giving up six hits and three walks in six innings of work. Classmate Zack DelVecchio (Braintree, Mass.) limited the hosts to just two hits and a run in three innings of relief.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 1pm on Saturday, April 10, when the Corsairs host Castleton University (4-4, 3-1) in a non-conference doubleheader. Fans can watch all the action on Littleeast.tv.
