Minutemen Trek to UConn for Three This Weekend

University of Massachusetts Baseball Game Notes
Games 17-19 Date // Time	Massachusetts (7-9) at UConn (10-12) Friday, April 2 // 3 p.m. Saturday, Aprill 3 // Noon (doubleheader)
Location	Storrs, Conn. (Elliot Ballpark) Please see UConn's fan attendance policy below
Series History	UConn leads, 89-74-3 Last meeting: UConn 10, (at) Massachusetts 7 // April 16, 2019
Live Statistics	Huskies All-Access Friday // Saturday (Game 1) // Saturday (Game 2)
Streaming	StatBroadcast Friday // Saturday (Game 1) // Saturday (Game 2)
Twitter	@UMassBaseball \| @UMassAthletics \| @CoachReynolds25
Instagram	UMass Baseball \| UMass Athletics

UConn Fan Attendance Policy
"UConn is continuing to follow guidance from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, which recommends in-person attendance be limited to friends and family of UConn student-athletes and coaches only. UConn will continue to adhere to this guidance until it is safe to welcome fans back to campus and will communicate any changes to this policy immediately."

Latest Schedule Updates
UMass and UConn announced on Thursday morning that Friday's series opener (April 2) will now begin at 3 p.m., due to forecasted weather conditions. Saturday's doubleheader (April 3) remains unchanged and will have a noon first pitch in game one.

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.

Recap in a Minute
UMass dropped a tough one on Wednesday, falling to Holy Cross by a 7-6 score 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. Kevin Dow went 3.1 innings out of the bullpen, including a stretch of six straight Ks for Dow that saw the side retired in order, all looking, in the fourth inning.

All-Time vs. UConn
UConn leads the series with UMass, 89-74-3. UMass is seeking its first win over the Huskies since 2016, when a monster day by Dylan Morris keyed a 9-5 victory for the Minutemen at Earl Lorden Field. Morris went 3-for-5 at the plate for UMass in the contest and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle while driving in five runs and scoring two on the afternoon. Senior John Jennings also had three RBI for the Minutemen, who pounded out 10 hits.

These teams last faced off in April 2019, also at The Earl but with UConn taking a 10-7 victory. UMass scored five times in the ninth and had the winning run at the plate with two outs–pinch hitter Connor Smith smacked a 1-1 offering deep to right field, sending Huskies right fielder Kyler Fedko all the way to the warning track before Fedko made the catch to end the ballgame.

Gervasi Growing his Game
Mike Gervasi has appeared in all 16 games on the season, starting 15 in either the DH or catcher role. Backing up Dylan Judd behind the plate, Gervasi is hitting .315 on the season with five doubles and 10 RBI. After not seeing game action during the abbreviated 2020 season, he homered in his first collegiate at bat at Northeastern on March 3, 2021.

"Mike's come a long way in a year, and I think there's still more to come...He's always had a great work ethic–he is as tough as anybody."@CoachReynolds25 chimed in on Gervasi's continuing growth as a Minuteman after a 3-for-5, three RBI day.#Flagship?? pic.twitter.com/7hLze7SU5S
— UMass Baseball (@UMassBaseball) April 1, 2021

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
Massachusetts returns to Earl Lorden Field for a Wed., April 7 game vs. Northeastern with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.

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).

Earl Lorden Field Attendance Update
As a result of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts moving to Phase IV, Step 1 of its Reopening Plan on March 22, UMass Athletics is excited to announce that it has begun welcoming limited spectators to home events. In addition, UMass students and faculty/staff may begin attending games on a first come, first served basis beginning on April 1.

Please note: fans listed on the UMass player pass list will be given priority access to home events. Only student-athletes can request tickets.

In addition, UMass students and faculty/staff will be allowed into the facilities on a first come, first served basis. Students and faculty/staff will be asked to show their green checkmark upon arrival in compliance with campus COVID testing protocols.

Fans of visiting teams and the general public will not be admitted to UMass home events at this time.

Please click here for complete details and protocols.

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Players Mentioned

Kevin Dow

Mike Gervasi

Dylan Judd

Dylan Morris

Chris Pearsons

Connor Smith

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics