APPLETON- Facing elimination, Scott Williams (Baraboo) and the Pointer offense jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back as they ripped off 15 hits and defeated University of Massachusetts-Boston 13-3 at Time Warner Cable Field in Fox Cities Stadium Saturday afternoon.

UW-Stevens Point 13 – UM-Boston 3

After a disappointing first round defeat, the UW-Stevens Point Pointers (34-16) looked to regroup as they took the field against the University of Massachusetts-Boston Beacons (32-17) as both teams looked to continue their season and attempt to battle back in the loser's bracket.

Williams was called on for the Pointers to try and keep their season alive and the Beacons countered with Danny Gomez.

In the UM-Boston's first game, Linfield College held them to just two total hits however, they were able to equal that total after the three batters in the contest. Mark McCormack and Ryan Walsh reached, putting runners on second and third with just one out. Williams settled down and was able to force two fly outs to the right side and the Pointers exited the inning unscathed.

As the Beacon's struggled in their first game with the sticks, the Pointers also had their problems, leaving 15 runners on base, four short of the NCAA tournament single-game record. Stevens Point looked to reverse that trend early as they were also able to put runners on second and third with one out.

Sam Spurney (Manitowoc) kicked off the scoring as he drove in the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly. Justin Jirschele (Clintonville) followed up with a walk and Jordan Rennicke (Mequon) came through with a two out single threw the right side to add to the lead. Ever familiar to the Pointers, Beacons' starter Gomez struggled with his command in the first walking the next batter Dan Douglas (East Troy), bringing his total to three in the first. Steve Considine (Portage) then stepped up with the bases loaded and lined a bases clearing double just inside the right field line, increasing the lead to five. Travis Tuschen (Sun Prairie) joined hit parade as he lined a single to left scoring Considine, and ending Gomez's afternoon. Daniel Heefner entered in relief and forced a fly out, but the Pointers took a 6-0 advantage after the first inning of play.

Both pitchers settled down over the next two and one half innings until the Pointers came up to bat in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Eric Fritz (Custer) took Heefner's offering high and deep to left field for his seventh home run of the year, and setting a new career high. Jeremy Richter (Rosholt) was then plunked next and Spurney continued his hot hitting as of late by mirroring Fritz as he hit a booming home run, his eighth of the season for a 9-0 lead.

The Beacons were able to end their 13.2 scoreless innings in the top half of the fifth as Williams ran into trouble with two outs. Walsh reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on an error by Tuschen. He then moved up as the Pointers were called for their second interference call on the bases in the game and later came around to score on a Tim Fontaine single. Connor Reinfurt followed up with a single and Jeff Outzen was hit, loading the bases. Williams was able to retire the next batter on a groundout to second, ending UM-Boston's threat.

Heefner looked in control of the fifth as he retired the first two batters until Tuschen then pulled a double down the left field line for his second hit of the game, setting the table for Brad Archambeau (Watertown) to tack on some insurance runs. The lefty took Heefner's offering and hit a line drive home run into the patio deck out in right field for his seventh home run of the year.

The Beacons called on their bullpen once again, this time summoning Michael Andriano. He was greeted by a double from Fritz and Richter doubled deep to right center field to plate another run with two outs, putting Point in control 12-1.

UM-Boston tallied single runs in the sixth and seventh as they capitalized on a Pointer error in the sixth and in the seventh Matt Consiglio singled down the line in left to bring the score to 12-3 after six and one half.

Point was able to regain their 10 run lead in the bottom half of the seventh when Archambeau doubled to left center and Richter came up with another run scoring single with two outs for his fourth hit of the game and second RBI.

After going seven strong innings, Williams departed and gave way to Ryan Povlick (Greendale) in the eighth. The senior pitched himself into a jam as he gave up a single and two walks but a nifty play by Tuschen to turn a double play ended the Beacons threat once again.

Cam Seidl (Appleton) pitched the ninth and tried to hold a 10 run lead and did so, sitting the side down in order for the first time in the game including a strikeout looking to end the game.

Williams (11-3) rebounded from yesterday's rough outing picking up the win after going seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, while striking out four. The Beacons were able to tally 11 hits, draw three walks and were hit twice by the righty, but he limited the damage pitching out of numerous jams. 

With Williams' 11th win, he surpassed Bill Verbrick for the most wins for a pitcher in Stevens Point single-season history.  Also, with seven innings pitched he has totaled 101 for the season, just one inning off another single-season record also held by Verbrick.

Gomez (3-2) suffered the loss after going 0.2 innings, allowing six runs, all earned.

Richter led the Pointer hit parade, going four-for-four with a double and two RBIs. Considine chipped in with three hits and three RBIs and Archambeau, Fritz and Tuschen added two of their own. Spurney also added three RBIs, bringing his total to six for the tournament.

Walsh led the Beacons with three hits, including a double and Drew Tambling and Mike Mattei added two of their own.

After the Pointers left 15 runners on Friday afternoon, they capitalized on their opportunities in Saturday's game s they left eight runners on compared to UM-Boston's 14. Of the Pointers 13 runs, nine came with two outs.

With the 13-3 victory, UW-Stevens Point will continue their season as they take on Heidelberg University (Ohio). First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton.