AMHERST, Mass. – The La Salle University baseball team won its first Atlantic 10 Conference series of the season with a 4-3 victory at Massachusetts on Sunday. The Explorers scored three runs in the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie and survived the Minutemen's furious comeback attempt in the final frame.
 
With the two teams tied at one apiece, freshman Jack Cucinotta hit a leadoff single in the top of the ninth and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by fellow rookie Manny Garcia. Cucinotta then forced a throwing error as he stole third and ran home for the go-ahead run.
 
Senior Yan Carlo Rivera later tripled to right center before classmate Austin Constantini hit his first career home run in a La Salle uniform, a two-run shot to right field that put the Explorers up 4-1.
 
Constantini then took the mound for the bottom of the ninth but ran into some trouble as Massachusetts loaded the bases. The Minutemen scored on a fielder's choice before Constantini struck out the next hitter for the second out. UMass came within a run on a single by Eddy Hart, but Constantini struck out the final batter to earn his fourth save of the year.
 
Senior Chase Arnold gave the Explorers the lead in the fourth inning when he drove in freshman Tommy Toal on an RBI single to left center. The Minutemen tied it in the seventh before the Explorers edged out the win in the ninth.
 
Sophomore Erik Janss made his first start of the season on the hill, striking out three and giving up only one hit over three shutout innings. Junior Connor Hinchliffe earned his first career win after working a scoreless eighth inning.
 
La Salle (13-25, 4-8 A-10) will return home for four games this week, starting with a 3 p.m. matchup with Maryland Eastern Shore on Tuesday.