George, Ryan Pace Baseball In Season Opening Loss Against UMass Dartmouth

Rindge, NH --- Senior Cory DeMedeiros (Fall River, MA) and classmate Alberto Vasquez (Roxbury, MA) both smacked home runs and combined for three RBIs to help pace UMass Dartmouth to a 8-3 victory over Worcester State this afternoon in non-conference baseball action at the Pappas Field on the campus of Franklin Pierce.

In the season opener for both squads, DeMedeiros belted a first-inning two-run blast to left center which helped give the Corsairs the early 2-0 edge they never relinquished.

Senior Alex Newton (Saco, ME) chipped in with a run scoring double in the second inning before Vasquez connected on a solo shot to the deep part of right center for the 4-1 advantage after the top of the sixth.

As things looked grim for the Lancers, the hosts used the bottom of the seventh to push across two scores and get back into the contest.

With senior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) in scoring position, the Blue and Gold made the visitors pay for an infield miscue to cut down the lead runner when George scampered home on the errant throw.

Sophomore Jake Ryan (Northbridge, MA) then added another tally on a run producing single plating senior David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) with the bases juiced.

But junior Matt Russell (Townsend, MA) ended the threat by reaching back and inducing a pair of pop-ups.

UMass Dartmouth put the game away in the very next half-inning with a four-run frame which was highlighted by a two-run triple by senior Ben Monteiro (Swansea, MA) before he came touched home on a wild pitch.

Corsair senior George Agostini (Rehoboth, MA) was the lone multi-hitter with two base-knocks as he and DeMedeiros both came around to score twice.

Ryan went 3-for-5 with two doubles – including an RBI knock in the first inning to make it a 3-1 contest – while George finished with two runs.

UMD junior Steve Colella (Leominster, MA) earned the winning decision in an all-around staff day that saw both sides use 14 pitchers as a warm-up to their spring break trips in the next week.

Senior Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA) was saddled with the tough luck setback for giving up the early lead in the top of the first.

Underscored by two scoreless frames by sophomore Zach Zona (Auburn, MA/St. Peter-Marian), who fanned four, seven Worcester State pitchers permitted just two walks and two hit batters to go with 11 strikeouts.

The Lancers had a frustrating day at the plate stranding a total of 12 men, with nine in scoring position and five on third base.

Worcester State continues their campaign with a twin-bill this Friday against Wheaton at the Lake Myrtle Complex (Field #1) starting at 3 PM. UMD opens their spring break trip with Thomas More at the Chain of Lakes Field #5 on the same day with an earlier first pitch time at 9:30 AM.