Pair of big innings push Corsairs past Seahawks

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's baseball team used a five-run sixth and a five-run seventh inning to defeat visiting Salve Regina, 17-6, in a non-conference game at the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Complex Wednesday.

The Seahawks broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning on a sacrifice fly by freshman Matthew Croteau (Cheshire, Conn.). UMD pulled even during their at-bats in the second with an RBI single by senior outfielder Dan Demello (Taunton, Mass.). The Corsairs added another run in the third on an RBI double by freshman first baseman Alex Newton (Saco, Maine).

In the fifth, UMD junior catcher Matt Worden (New Bedford, Mass.) led off the inning with a home run to deep center field, giving UMD a 3-1 lead. In the sixth inning, Salve Regina regained the lead plating four runs in the inning, featuring singles by Croteau and senior outfielder Matt Capone (E. Providence, R.I.), to take a 5-3 advantage. In the bottom of the sixth, UMD pulled even on a two-run double from Newton. After scoring on a base on balls, the Corsairs got an RBI single from Demello and a sacrifice fly from freshman infielder Nate Farias (Fall River, Mass.), giving UMD a lead they never gave up.

Leading 8-5 in the seventh, UMass Dartmouth scored five runs in the inning, powered by doubles from Newton and Demello. The final run for Salve Regina came in the eighth on a double by freshman outfielder Salvatore Cumella (Ridgefield, N.J.). UMD added four runs in the bottom of the eighth on RBI singles for Newton, Farias and junior third baseman Corey Allison (Taunton, Mass.), en route to the 17-6 victory. Newton led the Corsairs with a team-high six RBIs during the contest.

Brunette (1-2) entered the game in relief and earned the win for UMass Dartmouth, pitching two innings and surrendering one run on three hits. SRU senior pitcher Laurence Liggett (0-1, Manasquan, N.J.) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs in 1.1 innings of work with four walks. Phillips and SRU senior pitcher Charles Kwolek (Greenville, R.I.) were the starters, but neither figured in the decision.

UMass Dartmouth improved to 12-12 with the victory, while Salve Regina dropped to 9-16 with the defeat. The Corsairs will return to action when they host UMass Boston Saturday in a Little East Conference doubleheader. The Seahawks will visit Bridgewater State Thursday.

Release Courtesy of UMD Sports Information