The Northeastern baseball team (2-1, 0-0 CAA) took on the Boston Red Sox in the teams’ annual faceoff that dates back more than two decades to Feb. 21, 2004. The matchup marks the beginning of the Red Sox preseason. Going into the matchup, the Huskies had yet to win a game in the history of the contest and the team continued that streak, losing 5-2.
Right-handed pitcher Brian Van Belle got the start for the Sox, striking out the side in the top of the first inning.
In the next inning, the Huskies managed to get on the board. Van Belle gave up a hit to junior infielder Jack Goodman and walked junior designated hitter Matt Brinker before being pulled by manager Alex Cora.
Right-handed pitcher Zach Bryant subbed in at the top of the second inning. Bryant struck senior utility player Justin Bosland with a pitch, loading the bases for redshirt junior outfielder Harrison Feinberg. The ball slipped under the glove of third-baseman Marcelo Mayer in what could have been an easy out. Mayer’s error allowed two Huskies to score, putting them up 2-0.
From there, Northeastern would fail to put a single player on base. However, Huskies pitchers held their own.
Graduate student left-handed pitcher Max Gitlin, junior right-handed pitcher James Morice and freshman right-handed pitcher Andrew Rogovic held the Sox scoreless through the first three innings.
The Red Sox showed their strength in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman right-handed pitcher Andrew Basel gave up two hits and a walk to load the bases. Right fielder Jhostynxon Garcia’s single to left field brought in two runners, evening the score at 2-2.
Another hit-by-pitch brought center fielder Nate Eaton to third base and a sacrifice fly by left fielder Trayce Thompson gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. An overthrown ball by graduate student catcher Gregory Bozzo to second base on a stealing attempt allowed Garcia to double his team’s lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Basel entered the game in the top of the fifth inning and notched three straight outs.
Three quick outs by Northeastern batters brought the Red Sox back up in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Nick Coniglio walked third baseman Tyler Miller, who then advanced to second following a groundout. Catcher Nathan Hickey singled to right field to bring Miller home in the Red Sox’s final score of the game, making it 5-2.
A flyout, strikeout and groundout by the Huskies ended the game in the seventh inning.
This game does not count toward the Huskies regular season record. They will return to CAA play Feb. 22 and 23 against the Indiana State Sycamores (3-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference).
