UMBC

Anthony Socarras went 2-for-4 with three RBI on Thursday.

Baltimore, Md. - The UMBC baseball team (6-7) saw Canisius (4-13) score two-runs in the ninth inning off a two-run home run by Kevin Smith to defeat the Retrievers 5-4 on Thursday afternoon at The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC.  With the win Canisius splits the two-game series with UMBC, who took the first game 10-8 on Tuesday. 

Smith went down 1-and-2 in the count with two outs when he connected on a pitch over the center field fence for the two-run blast, giving Canisius the 5-4 advantage. 

In the bottom of the ninth UMBC threaten, placing runners on the corners with two outs.  Canisius closer Alex Winiewicz caught Retriever third baseman Steve Bowen in a run down between first and second base off a pick off move.  Smith, the Golden Griffs second baseman, turned while chasing Bowen back to first base, firing the ball home as catcher John Papierski laid the tag on Mike Scheffel before he could reach the plate. 

UMBC starter Jon Pavlis was outstanding on the mound until giving up the final home run to Smith.  Pavlis went all nine innings, allowing 11 hits, five runs while striking out nine with no walks.  Pavlis, who fell to 1-3 with the loss, recorded six of the first 10 outs himself by virtue of strikeout. 

Matt Weber moved to 2-2 on the season going 8.0 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits with a walk and strikeout.  Winiewicz earned the save working the ninth inning. 

Anthony Socarras led UMBC’s offense going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI.  Scoarras finished with a RBI single and two-RBI double.  Isaac Friedel and Bowen each finished with two hits as well.  

Smith went 2-for-5 on the day with two runs scored and two RBI.  Keven Mahoney went 3-for-4 in the game with two runs scored. 

UMBC returns to action at Duke on March 21 at 7 p.m.