The University of Massachusetts baseball team lost a close game to UAlbany, 4-3, on March 24 at Varsity Field.
The result leaves UMass with a record of 5-11 for the season, while UAlbany improved to 4-14. The game was marked by strong performances from several players despite the narrow defeat.
Freshman Dean Gobeil led the Minutemen, going 3-for-4 with his first two career doubles and his first collegiate home run during his first start. Gobeil also contributed a run and an RBI. Reece McCarthy added two hits including a double and scored once. Ty Fox, Braden Sullivan, and Marc Willi each had one hit for Massachusetts. Fox and Kolben drove in runs, while Sam Hill scored as well.
Massachusetts took an early lead in the second inning after McCarthy doubled and eventually scored on a ground out. However, UAlbany responded with a grand slam in the bottom of the same inning to take a 4-1 lead. The Minutemen narrowed the gap throughout the game; Fox singled home Hill in the third inning to make it 4-2. In the ninth inning, Gobeil’s solo home run brought Massachusetts within one run but UAlbany secured the final out to seal their win.
Jack Levine (1-2) took the loss for UMass after pitching three innings with four runs allowed on four hits and recording six strikeouts—a career best for him. Brian Cadieux (1-2) earned the win for UAlbany by throwing four scoreless innings with four hits allowed and striking out four batters. Jameson Walsh got credit for the save after pitching one inning.
Looking ahead, Massachusetts will travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan for a three-game series against Western Michigan starting Friday, March 27 through Sunday.
