FINAL: VCU 2 (14-11, 1-1 A10), Massachusetts 3 (4-6, 4-1 A10)

LOCATION: The Diamond – Richmond, Va.

VCU STARTERS: Farrar (CF), Kerrigan (LF), Davis (3B), Machin (SS), Carpenter (1B), Acker (RF), Dressler (DH), Haymaker (C), Berezo (2B), Blanchard (SP).

UMASS STARTERS: Maher (2B), Adie (CF), McLam (DH), Picard (RF), Morris (LF), Yanakopulos (3B), Bare (C), Jennings (1B), Scifo (SS), Moloney (SP)

THE BASICS: After scoring 42 runs in the first three games of the homestand, VCU was held to two runs and five hits in tonight's 3-2 loss to Massachusetts. Vimael Machin extended his hitting streak to 14 games and recorded another multi-hit game today and Cody Acker accounted for both RBI in the defeat. Matt Blanchard tossed six shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just three hits. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first five and a half innings flew by thanks to some great pitching from Blanchard and the UMass starter Ryan Moloney. Each team mustered just three hits apiece during this time frame. The most offense either side could generate came from the Rams in the bottom of the third; they put runners on second and third but were unable to drive in a run.
• VCU was finally able to push a run across in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and third, Acker came to the plate and laid down a beautiful bunt that trickled past the pitcher and into no-man's land, easily scoring Machin from third.
• The Minutemen opened things up in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs on a couple of two-out hits to take a 3-1 lead, marking the first time all season that any team was able to get to VCU's Daniel Concepcion.
• Acker drove in the second VCU run in the bottom half of the frame on a deep sac fly to right field that scored Jimmy Kerrigan, but it was the only run that the Rams could push across in an inning where they had bases loaded with one out. 
• The Rams were not able to stage a late rally, going down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to end the night on the losing end of a 3-2 decision.

UP NEXT: This series' rubber match will be Sunday at 1 pm.