March 30, 2011
Box Score
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Junior Mark Sanborn (Hopkinton, Mass.) laced a walk-off single into right field to down Southern New Hampshire, 6-5, in 10 innings at LeLacheur Park on Wednesday.
The win is baseball's seventh in a row and second extra innings victory of the season. UMass Lowell improves to 19-2 overall this year and a perfect 6-0 in Northeast-10 action. The Penmen stumbled to 9-12 on the campaign and 0-4 in conference play.
Southern New Hampshire snagged an early 1-0 lead in the first, but the damage could have been much worse. Chris O'Neil (Chelmsford, Mass.) notched a two-out RBI single, but starter Mike Calzetta (Lawrence, Mass.) got the next batter to fly out to escape a potential disastrous bases loaded jam.
The River Hawks bounced right back in the bottom half of the first inning, tying the game at 1-1. With runners on first and third, James Katsiroubas (Milton, Mass.) laced a single into left field to score leadoff man Matt Jacobs (Hudson, Mass.).
The see-saw action would continue as the Penmen would take a 4-1 lead in the top of the second, only to have it erased in the bottom. The Penmen got their production from an RBI double by Jamie Wollerman (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) and a costly two-run error by UMass Lowell.
The River Hawks grabbed their first lead of the day with the help of a four-run second inning--all with two outs. Connor Burnham (Harwich, Mass.) floated a sun-aided RBI double to start the action, followed by a two-run double into left field by Cam Kneeland (Rowley, Mass.) to tie the game. The lead came on an RBI single to center field by Rob Noe (Lynnfield, Mass.), putting UMass Lowell on top 5-4.
Southern New Hampshire leveled the score again at 5-5 in the fourth, scoring a run on an O'Neil single into right field.
After an explosive first four innings, the game came to a screeching halt for the next six frames.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Noe singled up the middle and Jordan Silva (Groveland, Mass.) drew a five-pitch walk. After Felix Martinez (Miami, Fla.) entered as a pinch runner for Noe, an errant Penmen pick-off throw sailed into center field. The stage was set with runners on second and third with no outs and Sanborn standing tall at the dish. On a 2-2 count, the junior first baseman lined the ball well over the right fielder's head to bring home the winning run.
For the day, Kneeland finished with a pair of hits and two RBI to lead the River Hawk offense. Jacobs was the only other UMass Lowell player to record two hits and he also scored twice.
The River Hawks used four different pitchers on the mound. Calzetta tossed the first two innings before giving way to Bryant Guilmette (Hopkinton, Mass.) for the next 1.1 innings. Both pitchers struggled with command, combining for five walks.
The bullpen showed its depth however, as Tyler Toyfair (Agawam, Mass.) and Garrett Cole (Manchester, N.H.) combined for 6.2 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits. Cole picked up the victory, his third of the season.
With the walk-off win in the books, UMass Lowell will catch its breath before heading to St. Rose on Saturday for a double-header with the Golden Knights beginning at noon.
