Bronx, N.Y. – (May 12, 2023) – Massachusetts' Sam Belliveau tossed six shutout innings, while Nolan Tichy and Carter Hanson both homered, as the Minutemen took a 9-3 decision from the Fordham Rams to open a three-game Atlantic 10 series at Houlihan Park.
The Minutemen opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI-double by Sam Hill and made it 2-0 in the third on a sacrifice bunt by Steve Luttazi.
UMass extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning when Nolan Tichy hit a two-run home run to left for his 11
th of the season.
It was 7-0 in favor of the Minutemen in the seventh following an RBI-single by Luttazi and a two-run home run by Carter Hanson, his sixth of the year. Fordham then got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the frame, as
Zach Selinger led off with a single and moved to second on a base hit by
Michael Taylor.
Sebastian Mexico then dropped a double down the right field line to score Selinger with Taylor moving to third. Taylor then scored on an error to make it, 7-2.
UMass got both runs back in the eighth to go up by a 9-2 count. The Minutemen loaded the bases with no outs and got an RBI-single by Tichy and a bases loaded walk to Luttazi.
Fordham capped the scoring in the bottom of the eighth, as
Daniel Bucciero reached on a single to left center and then scored on a double and an error off the bat of Selinger.
Massachusetts' starter Sam Belliveau (2-1) had the Rams' number, scattering five hits over six shutout innings with three strikeouts, while Renn Lints closed out his first save with three innings of relief, allowing two earned runs.
For Fordham, Selinger was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored with Mexico going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Declan Lavelle (1-5) took the loss, as he pitched a career-long 6.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 13 hits with five strikeouts.
Robbie Stewart, pitching for only the second time this season, did well, recording the final six outs with three strikeouts and no hits allowed.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1:00 PM with the Senior Day ceremony prior to the game.
