Baseball: Ferreira tallies walk-off single to take down Framingham State in extra innings

WALTHAM, Mass. – Freshman Griffin Ferreira tallied the game-winning RBI single to center with one out in the bottom of the 10th for the Lasell University baseball team during a 9-8 non-conference triumph over Framingham State Tuesday evening at Brandeis University's Stein Diamond.

"We battled through all 10 innings and the players never got down at any point in the game, which is what this team is all about," said Ferreira. "I knew that I had a job to do. I knew my at-bats did not go my way throughout the entire game. Coach asked me if I was going to get a hit. I said, 'yes' and delivered."

Leading the way for the Lasers (11-13, 7-3 GNAC) were Matthew Paharik (2 of 5, run, walk) and Tyler DiNezza (2 of 4, 2 doubles, 2 walks, run). Eight student-athletes recorded at least one hit for Lasell and the unit only made one error.

"I am very proud of the fight we showed today," said Lasell University Baseball Head Coach Billy Uberti. "We dealt with adversity and never gave up. It was a fun game to be part of and a gritty win."

Lucas Basile (2 of 5, 2 runs, home run, RBI, walk), Ryan Boyle (2 for 5, 2 RBIs, double, run) and Cameron Gilroy (2 for 5, 2 runs, home run, RBI) played well for the Rams (5-15, 1-5 MASCAC). Framingham State compiled a total of 13 hits.

Lasell struck first, getting on the board in the second inning, as freshman Jordan Martinez drove a single to center to bring home DiNezza to take an early one-run lead.

Boyle got the Rams on the board in the fourth inning as his double down the right-field line brought home freshman Jacob Buontempo. Framingham State took the lead two batters later, as freshman Jeremy Kelly doubled into the left-field gap and brought home Boyle. Senior Kennedy Wilson came across to score after a throw home deflected off him and over the head of the catcher, giving the Rams a 3-1 lead.

The Lasers added another run in the fifth inning. Sophomore Bryan Baumann reached on an error by the shortstop, while freshman Devon Lapierre came home to score from third.

Lasell tied the game up at 3-3 in the bottom half of the sixth inning, as senior Matthew Bischof came home to score on a passed ball.

On the first pitch of the seventh inning, Gilroy got into one and took it over the fence in left-center field to give the Rams the lead back. Framingham State added a second run in the frame, as Boyle singled into the right-center gap to bring home junior Matthew Shaver. The Rams made it a three-run lead, as Basile scored on a balk to close out the top of the seventh.

Sophomore Ross Audet added a run to the Lasers' total in the bottom half of the seventh, as he doubled to right-center, bringing home fellow classmate CJ Mills. The next batter was Bischof, and he quickly tied the game up at 6-6 with one swing, as he blasted a home run to left-center to bring home Audet.

The Lasers grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the eighth, as freshman Vaun Larisa scored on a Baumann sacrifice bunt attempt that was thrown away by the Rams.

With potentially their last at-bats of the game in the top half of the ninth, the Rams tied the game up. Basile led off with a solo home run over the right-field wall to tie the game at seven and send the game to extra innings, as the Rams held the Lasers scoreless in the bottom half of the inning.

Framingham State took the lead in the top of the 10th, as sophomore Evan Kirkpatrick singled to center field to bring home Gilroy.

The Lasers answered in their half of the 10th, tying the game up on an error by the Rams off the bat of DiNezza that brought home Audet. The next batter was Ferreira, who walked it off with a single over the infielders to bring home Paharik.

Freshman Brendan Zaleski got the start, going 6 1/3 innings, while allowing seven hits and striking out four. Graduate student Jack Snyder only allowed two hits and struck out two 1 2/3 innings of relief and sophomore Tim Coakley got the win with his work in the 10th inning. Freshman Vinny LoGuidice got the start for the Rams, throwing five innings, while giving up four hits, three runs and striking out two.

The Lasers will be back in action on Wednesday, April 13, when they travel to Brandeis University for a matchup with the Judges. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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