April 27, 2011
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Junior slugger Cam Kneeland (Rowley, Mass.) hit a two-out, two-run, game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to propel UMass Lowell baseball to a 7-6 walk-off victory over Post on Wednesday night. Kneeland finished the game with four hits, two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
The last second non-conference win at LeLacheur Park improves the River Hawks' record to 31-7 overall on the season. The heart breaking loss drops the Eagles to 22-14 on the campaign.
The River Hawks took an early lead on an RBI double from James Katsiroubas (Milton, Mass.) in the first inning.
The lead was short-lived however, as the Eagles plated five runs in a mistake-riddled second inning that featured three errors. Post capitalized on the errors with several big hits, including a three-run homer over the left field fence by James Wong (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
The Eagles extended their advantage to 6-1 in the third inning with an RBI double to right field by Jared Maddox (Arlington, Texas).
UMass Lowell made some headway on the deficit in bottom of the third, pushing across a run on an RBI groundout by Sean Burns (Colchester, Vt.).
Kneeland knocked in another run in the fifth, grounding out to short to allow Matt Jacobs (Hudson, Mass.) to score from third.
The comeback picked up steam in the late innings as a RBI sacrifice fly by Jacobs and a solo home run by Kneeland closed the gap to 6-5.
The game appeared all but over in the ninth after Post picked up two quick outs, but Burns beat out an infield single to short. With the game hanging in the balance, Kneeland launched a 2-1 pitch high over the scoreboard in left field for a walk-off game-winning two-run homer--his second long ball of the game.
Reliever Dallas Nunes (Easton, Mass.) picked up the win, pitching the final 2.2 innings of the night. Nunes allowed just one hit, no runs and struck out one to improve to 1-1 on the season.
Bryant Guilmette (Hopkinton, Mass.) started on the mound, but was chased after three innings. Guilmette allowed six hits, six runs--one earned--and one walk before handing the ball off to Mike Calzetta (Lawrence, Mass.). Calzetta was strong in 3.1 innings on the mound, allowing two hits, no runs and fanning three batters.
Hoping to keep the momentum alive, the River Hawks will do battle with Franklin Pierce on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
