The University of Massachusetts baseball team lost to Akron, 18-17, in a close game on March 15 at Skeeles Field. Sophomore Reece McCarthy hit two home runs for UMass, including his first career grand slam.
The result leaves UMass with a 5-7 overall record and a 1-5 mark in the Mid-American Conference. Akron improved to 9-10 overall and is now even at 3-3 in conference play.
Anthony Tirado led the Minutemen offense by going five-for-six with two doubles, two runs batted in, and two runs scored. McCarthy followed with four hits, seven RBI—a career high—and three runs scored. Braden Sullivan also contributed four hits and three RBI. Will Briggs and Vance Bonior each had two hits, while Ty Fox and Gavin O’Brien both drove in one run apiece.
UMass took an early lead by scoring eight runs in the second inning, highlighted by Sullivan’s bases-clearing double and McCarthy’s first collegiate home run. The Minutemen extended their advantage to as much as 10-2 before Akron responded with seven runs in the fourth inning to narrow the gap.
Akron continued its comeback by adding three runs in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth to take a lead they would not relinquish. Despite trailing by eight entering the ninth inning, UMass rallied for seven runs—including McCarthy’s grand slam—but ultimately fell short when Akron recorded the final out.
Brandon Wingenroth took the loss for UMass after allowing three runs over one inning of work. Taylor Bednar earned the win for Akron, while John Allen picked up a save.
Looking ahead, Massachusetts will travel to face Army on Tuesday, March 17, with first pitch scheduled for 3:35 p.m. on ESPN+.
