UMBC eyes top seed as it hosts NJIT
UMBC’s baseball squad is set to close out its regular season with a three‑game series against NJIT, a matchup that could determine the America East tournament seedings.
The Retrievers sit second in the conference standings at 25‑22 overall and 12‑9 in league play, and a sweep would lock in the second seed and a double‑elimination bye. The team is aware that even a single victory could secure a top‑three seed after a narrow loss to Towson that slipped away on a walk‑off grand slam in the ninth inning.
NJIT arrives fresh off a stunning upset of No. 22 Boston College, where Rowin O'Connor launched a solo homer in the first inning and Dillon Can drove in three runs with a fifth‑inning blast. The victory marks the Highlanders’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2018, underscoring the competitive edge they bring to the series.
UMBC’s rotation will likely feature Eddie Sargent, Zach Robinson and Sergio Droz, while Aidan Boice turned in a career‑best outing, limiting Towson to two runs over six innings. Reliever Tade Riordan contributed 4.1 strong innings out of the bullpen to preserve the lead in the recent game.
Key players to watch
Among the standouts, Nico Ong’s first homer of the season came in the loss to Towson, while Cole Campbell and Brody Levin have contributed multi‑hit performances that keep the offense humming.
Pitchers such as Conner Rippo, Connor Klock and Becker Sybirski will look to maintain consistency, while the experience of veterans like Derek Paris and Anthony Mascuilli adds depth to the lineup.
The outcome will reverberate beyond the conference standings, influencing national rankings and potentially shaping future schedules for both programs.