University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Massachusetts
Baseball Tops Massachusetts 9-5 In A-10 Action
05/22/2004 | Baseball
May 22, 2004
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Richmond baseball team was able to capitalize on a controversial call in the eighth inning and defeat the Massachusetts Minutemen 9-5 in its final regular season contest this afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. Seniors A.J. Board and Bobby LeNoir led the Spiders with two hits and three RBI.
With the Spiders down 2-0 in the eighth inning, Ben Zeskind walked and then stole second, before Jim Fasano struck out. Freshman Matt McKenna then hit a fly ball to left field, it was ruled a catch and Zeskind was called out on the play, on the throw from left field to second to end the inning. After some discussion the call was overturned and ruled a dropped fly ball, awarding McKenna with a hit and Zeskind remained on second.
Richmond (31-22, 17-7) used the call to its advantage as it batted around the order and posted six runs. David Thomas recorded an RBI single and Board followed with a two-run RBI to left field, giving the Spiders a 3-2 lead. Board scored on a throwing error by Minutemen catcher Frank Curreri, before LeNoir and Zeskind each registered RBI singles to left field. The Minutemen (19-26, 10-14) responded with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the eighth and the score stood at 6-5.
In the ninth, Richmond posted three runs on two hits. Thomas and Chris Dolan walked, Board recorded an RBI single and LeNoir hit a two-run RBI single.
Jason Bolinski started on the mound for Richmond and allowed only three hits and one run in 5.0 innings pitched. Matt McLoughlin recorded the win after allowing only one run on two hits in two innings on the mound. Keith Doherty took the loss for UMass after allowing five runs on four hits.
With the win, the Spiders clinched the third-seed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament and play their first game against sixth-seeded Duquesne on Wednesday, May 26 at 3:30 p.m. in Norwich, Conn.
