AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Corsair sophomore reliever Max Penton (Waltham, Mass.) submitted six brilliant shutout innings out of the bullpen to anchor down UMass Dartmouth's nine-run scoring outburst to propel the Blue and Gold to a 9-6 come-from-behind-win over No. 14 Keystone College at Lake Myrtle Field #6 on Sunday morning. The righty yielded three hits and two walks, striking out four on 91 pitches for 58 strikes.
How it Happened
- The Blue and Gold came out with guns blazing in the first as it teed off of Keystone pitcher Dakota McFadden (Rocky Point, N.C.) for five hits to put up a two-spot on the board via an RBI double by junior Mike Knell (Dennis, Mass.) encored by a run-producing single through the hole from junior Mitch Baker (Braintree, Mass.).
- McFadden promptly redeemed himself in the home half of the opening stanza, however, launching a three-run bomb down the left field line and into the water for a 3-2 advantage. Keystone added a pair before it was all said and done, seeing senior Robbie Nardelli (Eynon, Pa.) get a two-run single (5-2).
- Knell lifted a routine fly ball to center but the ball popped right out of senior outfielder Anthony Ferrezza's (East Islip, N.Y.) glove and down to the grass. The junior did not break his stride in his trip around the bases, motoring into third to lead off the third. His hustle would be rewarded as he crossed the plate a second time on a wild pitch (5-3).
- After Keystone retaliated with a score via a ball in the dirt in the bottom of the inning, the Corsairs mounted a comeback on a clutch Pat Vartanian (Canton, Mass.) single through the middle to score a pair (6-5). Knell then continued his hot-streak in the batter's box with a towering deposit over the left field scoreboard to knot things at six apiece.
- UMass Dartmouth junior Nate Tellier (Attleboro, Mass.) put the squad ahead once again as his sprint down the line beat out a long throw from deep in the shortstop hole to plate freshman Jon Candiales (Attleboro, Mass.) for a 7-6 advantage.
- An excellent bunt in the eighth by junior Nick Andrews (Raynham, Mass.) advanced two runners over into scoring position and then went on to race home on Vartanian's gapper that extended the lead to three (9-6).
- Penton finished the job with a 1-2-3 ninth on a ground out, strikeout, and fly out to earn the win
Inside the Numbers
- UMass Dartmouth overcame a 6-3 deficit with six straight unanswered scores.
- Eight Corsairs logged a hit this morning, with six notching multi-hit games. The squad totaled 17 base-knocks, and all nine reached base. Furthermore, UMass Dartmouth recorded a 9-for-15 efficiency at the dish with two outs.
- No. 14 Keystone senior shortstop Chris Panzarella (Hazle Township, Pa.) stood out for the Giants with a 4-for-5 outing.
- Four different members of the Blue and Gold logged an RBI, with Vartanian's four leading the way. Knell completed his day 3-for-6 with four runs scored and two RBI's.
- Now hitting 10 for his last 18 after going 3-for-5 today, Candiales upped his average to .556 on the season. The second baseman added a pair of stolen bags as well as a run this morning.
- Penton especially locked down with runners on base, restricting Giant hitters to 0-for-6 in such scenarios. Keystone went 3-for-21 overall off of the sophomore hurler.
Up Next
Both teams head to Osceola Heritage Park tomorrow, with the Giants taking on Loras College at 10 a.m. while UMass Dartmouth draws Illinois-Wesleyan at 5:15 p.m.