Baseball Hosts Holy Cross in Home Opener Wednesday

University of Massachusetts Baseball Game Notes
Game 16 Date // Time	Massachusetts (7-8) vs. Holy Cross (0-7) Wednesday, March 31 // 2 p.m.
Location	Amherst, Mass. (Earl Lorden Field) *Please note: attendance limited to UMass team roster guests only // Click here for details*
Series History	Massachusetts leads, 39-33-1 Last Meeting: (at) Massachusetts 6, Holy Cross 2 // March 24, 2021
Live Statistics	SIDEARM Stats
Streaming	ESPN+ United States // International
Twitter	@UMassBaseball \| @UMassAthletics \| @CoachReynolds25
Instagram	UMass Baseball \| UMass Athletics

Latest Schedule Updates
UMass announced on Tuesday a pair of schedule updates: the Wednesday, March 31 game vs. Holy Cross will now begin at 2 p.m. due to impending weather later in the day. Additionally, the Wednesday, April 7 game vs. Northeastern is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Earl Lorden Field in Amherst.

Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, game dates, times and opponents are subject to change. The best way to remain on top of schedule updates is via the official UMass baseball schedule page, as well as the team's social media accounts (@UMassBaseball).

Follow UMass Baseball
Follow UMass baseball on Twitter (@UMassBaseball), Instagram (UMassBaseball) and Facebook (UMass Baseball) all season long for the latest news and updates around the team. Fans can also follow head coach Matt Reynolds on Twitter @CoachReynolds25.

Setting the Scene
The University of Massachusetts baseball team will host Holy Cross at Earl Lorden Field for its home opener on Wednesday, March 31. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m.

As a result of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts moving to Phase IV, Step 1 of its Reopening Plan, UMass Athletics is excited to announce that it will begin welcoming limited spectators to home events. Please note: fan attendance will be restricted to a limited number of team roster guests. Only student-athletes can request tickets, and only individuals listed on the player-guest list will be permitted into the facility. Fans of visiting teams will not be admitted into the facilities at this time, in alignment with counterparts at institutions within the conference. Please click here for complete details and protocols.

Recap in a Minute
UMass was last in action with a three-game series at Northeastern, falling to the Huskies in a single contest last Friday and in Saturday's doubleheader.

In game one of Saturday's doubleheader, the first inning saw an early lead for the Huskies with three runs, before scoring one more in the bottom of the second and fourth. Nolan Tichy scored on a called balk in the fifth and Aidan Wilde touched home plate on a two-out double to left center field by Michael Rounds in the sixth for UMass, but it was not enough and the game ended in a 5-2 score.

Down by one in the final game of the series, UMass knotted it up at 1-1 in the fifth, thanks to Rounds' two-out solo home run to left center field. The Minutemen, then, grabbed the lead in the sixth, pulling ahead by two on Eddy Hart's first home run of the season, a two-run shot. The Huskies took a run back at the bottom of the seventh and pulled back in front, 4-3, at the bottom of the eighth–the Minutemen loaded the bases in the top of the ninth but ultimately were unable to push across the tying run.

All-Time vs. Holy Cross
UMass holds a 39-33-1 advantage all-time over Holy Cross since the first meeting in 1894. The two programs met a week ago on March 24, at Fitton Field when the Minutemen earned a 6-2 victory over the Crusaders. It was the first win for Massachusetts over Holy Cross since its 12-10 triumph on May 4, 2010.

Meet the Minutemen
A solid mix of returners and newcomers compose the 2021 edition of the Minutemen as the squad begins its 138th season of competition. Twenty-two members of the team are back from the abbreviated 2020 campaign, while thirteen players are in their first season in Amherst, including seven freshmen and six transfers. A complete roster is available here.

Keeping it in the Family
The 2021 season marks the 55th straight campaign that Massachusetts baseball will have an alumnus of the Flagship campus as head coach. Fourth-year skipper Matt Reynolds is a double graduate (2005, '10G), and was preceded by fellow alumni Mike Stone '82 (1988-2017) and Dick Bergquist '57 (1967-87).

This is the second longest active streak across Division I baseball. Only BYU (62 consecutive seasons) has been led by an alum of its campus for a longer period.

On Deck
The Minutemen visit Storrs, Connecticut, to take on UConn for a three-game matchup on Fri., April 2 – Sat., April 3. Friday's single game is set for 4 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader will begin at noon.

Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, game dates, times and opponents are subject to change. The best way to remain on top of schedule updates is via the official UMass baseball schedule page, as well as the team's social media accounts (@UMassBaseball).

Scoreboard

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Players Mentioned

Eddy Hart

Michael Rounds

Nolan Tichy

Aidan Wilde

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics