UMass Baseball Falls in Close Contest to Central Michigan
The University of Massachusetts baseball squad saw its season end in a narrow 5‑3 defeat at Earl Lorden Field, where Central Michigan edged out the Minutemen in a back‑and‑forth battle. The loss dropped UMass to 17‑28 overall and 12‑19 in the Mid‑American Conference, while Central Michigan improved to 23‑28 and 12‑19 in league play.
Central Michigan struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on an RBI double to go up 1‑0, and later stretched the lead to 2‑0 in the fourth with a solo homer. UMass answered in the bottom of the fourth as Vance Bonior and Gavin O'Brien contributed hits that set up a run, cutting the deficit to 2‑1.
The Minutemen tied the game at 2‑2 in the fifth, as Ty Fox, Matt Travisano and Jack Beverly each delivered key hits. O'Brien's double drove in a run, and Reece McCarthy added an RBI single, giving UMass a brief lead before Central Michigan reclaimed momentum.
A bases‑loaded walk in the seventh handed Central Michigan a 3‑2 advantage, and the Chippewas pulled away with a two‑run homer in the eighth to make it 5‑2. UMass trimmed the margin to 5‑3 when Bonior stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by McCarthy, underscoring the team's resilience.
On the mound, Callen Powers (4‑5) absorbed the loss after yielding three runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings, while Hayden Bailey earned the win for Central Michigan with two runs allowed in seven frames. Jack Potteiger closed out the game with a save, giving up a single run in two innings.
The Minutemen will conclude their schedule with a doubleheader against Central Michigan streamed on ESPN+, and the event will feature a senior ceremony honoring seven players, including Bonior, O'Brien, Fox, Beverly, McCarthy, Travisano and Sam Hill, who have each left a mark on the program.