BOSTON, Mass. – The top-seeded Beacons cruised to their second straight Little East Conference title for the first time in program history as they cruised past the second-seed Eastern Connecticut State University with a 13-0 seven inning win in the 2018 Little East Conference championship game Saturday afternoon at Monan Park.

THE BASICS

#1 UMass Boston 13, #2 Eastern Connecticut State University 0 (7 inn.)

UMass Boston (34-8)
Eastern Connecticut State U. (25-16)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Less than 24 hours after defeating Eastern Connecticut State University to clinch a spot in the LEC championship game, the Beacons once again face-off the second-seeded Warriors, knowing they need just one win to clinch the at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Beacons, who should be the top-seed in the LEC Tournament, will find out what regional they will travel to Monday morning on NCAA.com via press release.

Tylor Arruda (New Bedford, Mass.) got the start for UMass Boston, his first of the postseason. In his first collegiate postseason start, the freshman showed the composure of a seasoned veteran. 

The freshman righty got some solid run support in the second and fourth innings as the Beacons took a 3-0 lead.  Chris Fowler (Barnstable, Mass.) and Ryan McCormick (Cumberland, R.I.) led the second inning off with a couple of base hits. With one out, Anthony Cecere (Wakefield, Mass) hit a single to centerfield to bring home Fowler and give the Beacons a 1-0 lead.

McCormick doubled with one out in the fourth and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Nick Herzog (Riverhead, N.Y.) then hit a double of own, good for an RBI. After Herzog stole third, Cecere got his second RBI on the day with a sacrifice fly to center.

With the game still close at 3-0, the Beacons poured it on in the top of the sixth, scoring eight runs in the inning. Cecere added to his big day with the bases loaded, hitting a bases clearing triple down the right field line. After a Sal Frosceno (Derby, Conn.) double, Eddie Riley (Quincy, Mass.) homered over the left field wall. Fowler and McCormick hit back to back RBI singles before the damage was all done for this inning.

Following the long delay, Joe Maguire (Peabody, Mass.) entered the game in the home half of the sixth for the Beacons. He walked a batter but also struck out two in his one inning of work.

Danny Brown (Hudson, N.H.) hit an RBI single in the seventh, followed by a run scoring sacrifice fly for Dave Murphy (Plymouth, Mass.). With the score sitting at 13-0, the Huskies would need to score at least four runs in the bottom half of the inning if they wanted any shot at extending this game.

Alex Carusotto (Pittsfield, Mass.) was given the ball in relief for Maguire to try to close things out. He did give up a walk, but ultimately got the job done while striking out one and not allowing a hit. The Beacons won the LEC title in seven innings, 13-0.

BY THE NUMBERS

• UMass Boston became the first program to win a conference championship on their home field since 2015 when the Southern Maine won their last title
• The Beacons outscored their opponents 33-5 during their 4-0 run to the conference title
• Saturday's championship marked the second time in program history that the Beacons posted a perfect 4-0 record in the LEC Tournament.
• Arruda allowed the only hit in the contest in the third inning and ended the day with five K's
• With the title UMass Boston has now won three conference championships since 2010
• Frosceno has now tied the program record for career games played with 173

WHAT'S NEXT

The Beacons will find out where and who they will be playing first thing Monday morning on NCAA.com.