FINAL: VCU 8 (15-11, 2-1 A10), Massachusetts 0 (4-7, 4-2 A10)

LOCATION: The Diamond – Richmond, Va.

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

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

THE BASICS: VCU bounced back in a big way today with an 8-0 win over UMass to clinch its fifth straight weekend series. Heath Dwyer had his best outing of the season with seven shutout innings to go along with just three hits, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. Darian Carpenter provided the big hit, a grand slam that broke the game wide open. Vimael Machin had yet another big day, scoring twice and reaching base three times all while extending his hitting streak to 15 games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• VCU struck first and scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jimmy Kerrigan base hit to right field brought in Machin and Brett Hileman smacked a double to the same part of the park that brought Kerrigan around to score.
• The next inning would feature the biggest swing of the game; after Daane Berezo and Logan Farrar were advanced into scoring position on a sac bunt by Matt Davis, Massachusetts starter Andrew Grant intentionally walked Machin to load the bases. On the very next pitch, Carpenter launched a grand slam to left field to put the Rams on top 6-0.
• In the bottom of the sixth VCU would tack on two more runs on a double by Machin, who extended his hitting streak with the two-bagger.
• While the Rams were firing on all cylinders at the plate, Dwyer was pitching extremely well. His 10 K's mark the second double digit strikeout performance by a VCU pitcher this season.
• Cooper Mickelson added an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh for good measure and after all was said and done the Rams came away with an 8-0 victory.

QUOTABLE: "It's good to get the first conference series win of the season. It's a real plus to be able to go to an experienced guy like Heath Dwyer in the rubber match of a series. He's been here a bunch of times and he was absolutely fabulous today. And obviously Garrett Pearson and Matt Lees came in and did a great job behind him. The guys grinded away for their at-bats and then Darian Carpenter was able to put the big swing on the ball. He had a big day for us, scoring three runs and of course the big grand slam in the bottom of the fifth and we never looked back. I'm proud of the way the boys competed and now it's on to a new week." -Head Coach Shawn Stiffler

UP NEXT: VCU will host nationally-ranked Virginia this Tuesday at 7:00 pm.