Six-Run Ninth Gives Warriors 18-15 Slugfest Win at UConn-Avery Point

GROTON, Connecticut ----- Trailing in the ninth, the Massasoit baseball team batted around, touching home six times to earn a back-and-forth 18-15 slugfest victory at the University of Connecticut at Avery Point on Tuesday afternoon.

Massasoit (6-9) trailed 15-12 prior to the start of the ninth inning, but responded as the first five batters reached in the inning on the way to scoring six runs in the frame. Nick Andrews (Raynham), Jonathan O'Donnell (Hull) and Aidan O'Neill (Halifax) all roped RBI base hits and later Ricky Sherlock (Whitman) launched his third homer of the season to highlight the big inning.

The Warriors led UCAP (15-9-1) 8-0 entering the bottom of the second and 10-2 entering the last of the third but saw that lead evaporate. The Pointers plated four runs in the third an five runs in the fifth as the score was squared up at 11-11 through five complete.

The game was from over, as UCAP scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to go up 13-11.

A Sherlock RBI single in the top of the eighth pulled Massasoit back within a single run, but UCAP answered with a two-run homer to own a 15-12 lead.

That set the stage for the Warrior merry-go-round in the ninth to earn the 18-15 victory.

Matt McGrath (Braintree) allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save, as the Warriors return to the diamond on Thursday with a road contest at MassBay CC.

Massasoit finished with 15 hits and drew 12 walks during the course of the nine-inning affair.

Freshman Jonathan O'Donnell continued to swing a hot bat, going 4-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Fellow freshman Aidan O'Neill went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and three RBI, while Nick Andrews, Luke Lewando (Brockton) and Ricky Sherlock added two hits each.

Andrews, Sherlock and Luke DiTondo (Marshfield) also knocked in three runs apiece.

Bobby Belezos (Holbrook) earned the victory, pitching two innings in relief.