Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

NOTE: Despite this weekend's games being played at La Salle's home field, the Explorers will play the role of visitor due to Atlantic 10 scheduling rules.

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle baseball team entered the bottom of the 10^th inning with a 6-5 lead, but Massachusetts pushed two runs across in the bottom of the frame to beat the Explorers, 7-6, on Friday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field.

Mark Williams (2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R) drove home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10^th to put La Salle on top 6-5. The Explorers loaded the bases with no outs but were unable to put the game away, plating just one on Williams' groundout. Williams also blasted a solo homer in the fifth inning, his third of the season.

The Explorers (3-17, 0-1 A-10) jumped on the Minutemen early in the ballgame, scoring in four of the first five innings to open up a 5-1 lead. Starting pitcher Shane Hollman cruised through four innings before things unraveled in the fifth.

Hollman induced a pair of pop-ups to open the inning to record two quick outs. UMass' Vinny Scifo then hit a soft grounder up the middle that second baseman Josh Savakinus kicked to give the Minutemen their first baserunner of the inning.UMass capitalized, pounding out four straight hits to tie the game at four. Hollman was unable to finish the inning and ended the day with one earned run charged to his line in 4.2 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

The La Salle offense got to UMass starter Conor LeBlanc, who was battered for five earned runs and 10 hits in five innings. Tommy McDonald pitched four efficient innings in middle relief for the Minutemen, giving up a single run. DJ Jauss (0-1) earned the win.

Shawn O'Neill (0-5) took the loss for the Explorers. After retiring two of the first three batters he faced in the 10^th, he gave up a pair of singles before throwing a wild pitch that plated the game-winning run.

The Explorers and Minutemen will go at it again on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

NOTES: Kevin Baron extended his reached base streak to 22 consecutive games dating back to last season…Josh Savakinus extended his hitting streak to eight games