Massachusetts Nipped by Holy Cross in Home Opener, 7-6

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts baseball held a one-run lead entering the final frame, but Holy Cross was able to rally in the top of the ninth as the Minutemen fell, 7-6, Wednesday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. It marked the 2021 home opener for the squad and first contest at The Earl since May 18, 2019–a span of 683 days.

Mike Gervasi (3-for-5) had his second three-hit game of the season with three RBI, including a two-run double. Dylan Judd and Chris Pearsons recorded a home run each–Judd had a two-run dinger in the loss, marking his third home run on the year, while Pearsons' was a solo shot in the eighth inning and first of his career.

Massachusetts erased an early 1-0 deficit with Gervasi's two-run double in the bottom of the third. The frame began with a two-bagger from Kevin Skagerlind, before a wild pitch moved him within 90 feet of home plate. Eddy Hart battled back from an 0-2 count to walk, then after he stole second, Gervasi stepped up to the plate with one out and sent a 2-1 pitch deep to left center to plate two runs. Judd was next up and blasted one over the left-center wall, pushing the Minutemen lead to 4-1.

Holy Cross capitalized on a pair of UMass errors, both with one out, to take a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning.

In the seventh inning, the Maroon and White knotted up the score, 5-5. On a perfectly-executed hit-and-run with Hart off at first base, Aidan Wilde singled through the right side advancing Hart to third. Gervasi then grounded up the middle to the second baseman, reaching on a fielder's choice and sending in the tying run.

The Minutemen tallied another run in the eighth inning to regain a 6-5 lead. With two outs and the wind blowing straight out to left field, Pearsons ran around the bases after sailing the first pitch he saw over the fence for a solo homer.

The Crusaders got two back in the final frame to pull ahead by one, but UMass was not able to bounce back, despite Wilde reaching base carrying the tying run.

For Holy Cross, Alex Bryant (1-0) picked up the win, dealing the final three innings. Jack Pawloski (0-2) took the loss after entering in relief for the ninth. Kevin Dow went 3.1 innings out of the bullpen earlier in the contest, striking out seven. It included a stretch of six straight Ks that saw the side retired in order, all looking, in the fourth inning.

UMass will focus on a three-game series at UConn with a single game set for Fri., Apr. 2, at 4 p.m., and a doubleheader taking place Sat., Apr. 3, with a 12 p.m. start.

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Team Stats

Mike Gervasi

Kevin Skagerlind

Aidan Wilde

Dylan Judd

Players Mentioned

Kevin Dow

Mike Gervasi

Eddy Hart

Dylan Judd

Jack Pawloski

Chris Pearsons

Kevin Skagerlind

Aidan Wilde

Players Mentioned

Kevin Dow

Mike Gervasi

Eddy Hart

Dylan Judd

Jack Pawloski

Chris Pearsons

Kevin Skagerlind

Aidan Wilde

University of Massachusets Athletics