WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth senior Alex Newton (Saco, Mass.) launched a towering two-run homer that wrapped around the right field foul pole, snapping a 6-all tie to power the Corsairs to a 10-6 victory over Thomas More College this morning at Chain O' Lakes Field #5.  

The Corsairs erased an early 5-1 deficit by scoring at least one run in their first six innings to improve to 2-0.  The Saints completed their Southern swing with an even 3-3 mark.

Seniors George Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass.) and Alberto Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass.) combined for six of UMass Dartmouth's season-best 14 hits and drove in six runs to lead the Corsairs' attack.  Agostini and Vasquez each went 3-for-5 from the plate with three RBI.  Newton was a perfect 2-for-2 and drew a walk to reach base in all three of his appearances.  Senior Ryan Medeiros (Acushnet, Mass.) also turned in a multi-hit performance with a 2-for-4 showing with three runs scored and a RBI.

Freshman Benjamin Lodge (Blackstone, Mass.) allowed two hits and logged a strikeout in one inning of relief to earn his first collegiate victory in his debut.  For the second consecutive contest, the UMass Dartmouth bullpen limited its opponent to one run.  Junior Matt Russell (Townsend, Mass.) punched out a Thomas More batter looking with a runner on third to eliminate a Saints scoring opportunity.  Freshman Josh Fickert (Lakeville, Mass.) and classmate Matt Cronin (Framingham, Mass.) each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the contest.

Junior Steve Colella (Leominster, Mass.) surrendered six runs on nine hits over the course of four innings to receive a no-decision.  Colella gave up five runs over the opening two innings, but retired Thomas More in order in the third.

The Saints scored three runs in the top of the second to extend their lead to 5-1, but the Corsairs responded with three of their own in the bottom half.  Freshman Jose Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass.) led off the frame with a double down the right-field line to record his first collegiate hit.  Medeiros laced a double to left centerfield to plate Vasquez, while Newton moved to third.  Agostini followed suit with a single to left to clear the bases and trim the deficit to 5-4.

UMass Dartmouth drew even in the bottom of the third, when senior Ben Monteiro (Swansea, Mass.) flicked an opposite-field single to left to drive in A. Vasquez.  However, both teams traded runs in the fourth to enter the middle innings tied at 6-all.

The Corsairs took their first advantage of the contest, when sophomore Taylor Cacciola (West Greenwich, R.I.) was hit by a pitch to open the frame.  Following a pair of fly-ball outs, Newton stepped to the plate and delivered the decisive hit of the evening. It was his first home run of the season.  A. Vasquez added a pair of RBI singles in the sixth and eighth innings to seal the win.

UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, when the Corsairs square off against Wheaton (Mass.).