The Northeastern baseball team (38-9, 19-2 CAA) extended its streak to 17 wins against the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (17-30, 8-13 America East) in a 9-3 victory May 7, solidifying the Huskies as regular season champions.
The team struck first in the bottom of the first inning, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Junior center fielder Cam Maldonado doubled to right center field and was scored by redshirt junior left fielder Harrison Feinberg’s single. Feinberg then stole second to move into scoring position, and junior second baseman Carmelo Musacchia singled to advance him to third. Feinberg stole home to score the second run of the inning.
In the top of the third inning, the River Hawks put the team’s first run on the board. Sophomore second baseman Rowan Masse walked to lead off the inning. Senior catcher Jake Fitzgibbons singled to put two runners on base, and a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners to scoring position. Senior third baseman Brandon Fish’s sacrifice fly brought in Masse, making the score 2-1.
Northeastern extended its lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Maldonado walked before being advanced to third by Feinberg’s single through the left side. Musacchia hit into a double play that allowed Maldonado to score.
Senior third baseman Justin Bosland singled to right field to put graduate student catcher Gregory Bozzo, who walked to first, on second base. Sophomore right fielder Ryan Gerety’s single brought in Bozzo, putting the Huskies up 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Lowell’s sophomore left fielder River Hart homered to make the score 4-2 in the top of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Maldonado walked and stole second for his 25th stolen base of the season. A two-run home run by junior designated hitter Matt Brinker put Northeastern up 6-1.
A pair of back-to-back home runs by sophomore shortstop Chris Walsh and Gerety in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Huskies an 8-1 lead. Walsh’s shot marked his first collegiate home run.
Northeastern’s ninth and final run of the contest came from Feinberg’s solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The River Hawks scored one more run in the top of the ninth inning. Senior center fielder Alex Luccini doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third from a groundout. Luccini was brought in on a wild pitch by senior right-handed pitcher Brett Dunham.
Northeastern will take on the William & Mary University Tribe (20-28, 13-8 CAA) in its final away series of the season May 9 to 11.
