Corsairs Split Doubleheader Action With Clarkson

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DAVENPORT, Fla. - The UMass Dartmouth baseball team split doubleheader action on Saturday, taking on Clarkson University in the final day of the RussMatt Tournament. The Corsairs posted a walk-off, 6-5 win in game one, falling 7-3 in game two. The Corsairs are now 5-8 overall, while the Golden Knights move to 3-3 on the season.

With Clarkson holding a 2-1 lead after the opening inning, the Corsairs rallied in the bottom of the third with a home run to right by grad student and right fielder Joe Muzio pushing UMass Dartmouth out to the 4-2 advantage. 

The Corsairs added another run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Golden Knights countered in the top of the fifth as outfielder Pat Elliott cracked a home run to right to close the gap to 5-4. Clarkson tied the contest in the sixth as a home run from third baseman CJ Cartier made it a 5-5 contest to set up the dramatic finish. 

In the bottom of the seventh, junior designated hitter Chance Checca got on from a hit by pitch. Junior outfielder Sam Laurie singled on a bunt back to the pitcher as both runners were safe. Senior second baseman Devyn Vezina stepped up to the plate for the bunt as the pitcher tried to go to third for the force out, but overthrew it. Checca scored on the error to give the Corsairs the win.

For the Corsairs, Laurie went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI, while junior first baseman Jake SanAntonio was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. Checca was also 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Rookie Jacob Rosati earned the win, allowing just one hit in the seventh inning. Senior Ryan Qualey pitched the opening 6.0 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.

Clarkson was paced by a 3-for-4 effort from graduate first baseman Kent Wilson, who added a run scored. Elliott was 1-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI, while Cartier was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Junior Cole Riskin started the game, going 4.0 innings with five runs allowed on six hits. He walked three and struck out three. Senior Derrick Lewis shouldered the loss with 2.0 innings pitched, allowing a run on three hits.

Game two saw the Corsairs get on the board first, jumping out to a 3-1 lead, but the Golden Knights countered as rookie infielder Beau Varidon cracked a home run to center for a 4-3 advantage. In the bottom of the sixth with a runner on and an out on the board, Clarkson saw junior Cam Jerrett intentionally walked as Elliott came around to score on a throwing error.

An ensuing single from Vardion to left field brought another run across and a double from Cartier brought the final run in for the Golden Knights for the 7-3 victory.

Vardion paced the Golden Knights, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and four RBI, while Cartier was 2-for-2 with two RBI. On the mound, Clarkson saw their starter go all 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.

The Corsairs were paced by Muzio, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. SanAntonio added an RBI, while Vezina also had a run batted in. Junior hurler Adam Maher went 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Graduate pitcher Anthony Keefe pitched 1.0 innings with three runs allowed on three hits with two walks, while rookie Dillon Harding pitched 0.2 innings with a strikeout and a walk.

UMass Dartmouth returns to Massachusetts and opens action on Tuesday, welcoming Wheaton College for a 3:30pm tilt on the UMass Dartmouth Baseball Field.