Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Massachusetts
Bucknell Baseball Can't Complete Second Straight Late Comeback, Falls to Massachusetts 6-4
3/18/2011 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 18, 2011
AUBURNDALE, Fla. - One day after erasing a 3-0 deficit in the ninth inning against Indiana, Bucknell tried to pull off a similar late-inning comeback against Massachusetts. The Bison batted around and scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, but the Minutemen had built a 6-0 lead and held on for the 6-4 victory Friday afternoon.
Bucknell (8-9) also threatened in the ninth inning, but reliever Leif Sorenson struck out the side, the final two representing the winning run, as Corey Furman and Gerry Runyan were stranded on first and second, respectively, after singles earlier in the frame.
The Bison managed just three of their eight hits over the first seven innings against Glen Misho (2-1). Finally, in the eighth the first five Bucknell hitters reached base against Misho via two walks, two singles and a double. The big hits in the inning were a two-run bases-loaded double by Shribman and an RBI single by Scott Reed. All four runs scored with one out.
UMass (2-8) capitalized on three Bucknell errors that led to four unearned runs. All three of the Minutemen's runs in the top of the eighth were unearned. Massachusetts also plated a run in the second on a sac fly and tallied two runs in the fourth after two Bucknell errors and three sacrifice bunts.
Freshman Gabe Noyalis made his first career start on the mound for the Bison and pitched into the fourth inning. He allowed four hits, three runs, two earned runs and struck out two before giving way to classmate Dan Weigel. Weigel, who was making his third career appearance, pitched 4.1 innings and was not charged with a run to keep the score close at 3-0.
Bucknell was forced to use three pitchers over the final two innings. UMass left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth.
Runyan was 3-for-5 at the plate and extended his hitting streak to eight games to lead the Bison offense. He is now hitting a team-best .373 on the year.
Bucknell will wrap up its weeklong trip to Florida on Saturday with an 11 a.m. game against Jacksonville State. The Bison are 4-2 on the trip and have won eight of their last 12 games overall.
