UMass Baseball Nipped by Saint Joseph’s, 3-1

Junior Jon Avallone had two of the Minutemen’s seven hits in the contest.

Senior Brandon Walsh struck out seven batters in 3.1 innings vs. Saint Joseph's on Friday.

Box Score
University of Massachusetts baseball led early, but Saint Joseph’s scored three unanswered runs to pull past the Minutemen, 3-1, on Friday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. The setback in game one of the weekend series against the Hawks (15-14, 4-3 A-10) leaves the UMass at 7-15 on the year and 2-5 in Atlantic 10 play.
After neither team registered a hit over the first two innings, the Minutemen jumped out in front, 1-0, in the bottom of the third. Junior Jon Avallone dropped a double into the right field corner with one out, went to third on a single to left by sophomore Brett Evangelista and scored on a fielder’s choice ground ball off the bat of Dylan Morris.

Saint Joseph’s responded, though, by scoring two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. With Deon Stafford, Jr., and Charlie Coghlin on base via a pair of walks with two away, both runners came home on one play without a hit. Stafford scored on a wild pitch that also allowed Coghlin to advance from first to third. A wild throw to third resulted in Coghlin crossing the plate.

The Hawks added a third run in the top of the sixth. John Brue drew a leadoff walk and scored on an RBI single to left by Cal Jadacki.

Junior Ryan Moloney went 5.2 innings in his start for UMass and took the loss (1-4) after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Senior Brandon Walsh fanned seven in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen. Saint Joseph’s starter Lucas Rollins earned the win (1-3), going six innings and surrendering one run on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. Ryan Kelly retired the side in order in the ninth to collect a save (3).