The Retrievers' season took a bitter turn on Tuesday night when they fell 9-8 to Towson after a walk‑off grand slam in the ninth inning. Nico Ong’s first homer of the year had put UMBC on the board early, but the lead evaporated as the Tigers rallied.
A Narrow Defeat
UMBC surged to a 6‑4 advantage in the fourth, a rally sparked by a timely hit from Nico Ong and reinforced by solid hitting from Danny Orr and Dylan Melton, who combined for multiple two‑hit performances.
Starter Aidan Boice turned in a strong outing, limiting Towson to just two runs over six innings, but the bullpen could not preserve the edge.
The decisive moment arrived when Towson exploded for three runs in the final frame, capped by a grand slam that sent the crowd home disappointed. Contributions from Joe Lomangino, Henderson, Okojie, Anthony Mascuilli and Derek Paris kept the game within reach, while Jesiah Carpenter also saw action in the lineup.
Looking ahead, UMBC will host NJIT for a three‑game series starting Thursday, hoping to rebound from the loss and restore momentum.
The Retrievers’ next steps will hinge on tightening late‑game execution and leveraging the depth of talent that includes Nico Ong, Danny Orr, Dylan Melton and the rest of the squad.