University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
5-6, 1-4
Akron
8-10, 2-3
Massachusetts Baseball Edges Out Akron, 5-4, In Game Two
March 14, 2026 | Baseball
Gavin Sitarz received his first collegiate win, as the Minutemen secure its first MACtion victory of the season.
UMass improved to 5-6 overall on the season and 1-4 in the MAC, while Akron moved to 8-10 overall and 2-3 in the league.
Gavin O'Brien went 2-for-3 on the afternoon, including a double and a home run, while adding a team-best two RBI and a run. Anthony Tirado and Ty Fox followed with one hit each, as Tirado recorded his first homer of the season and Fox had his second triple of the year. Tirado led the team with two runs and had an RBI, along with Fox and Jack Beverly.
The Minutemen pulled ahead early, scoring four in the top of the opening frame. Tirado led off the inning with a double to left field, followed by a triple from Fox to score Tirado and make it a 1-0 game. Beverly hit a grounder to second base that allowed Fox to cross the plate to lead 2-0. After Reece McCarthy advanced to third on an error, O'Brien recorded his third home run of the season to knock in two runs to give UMass a 4-0 lead.
Akron scored two runs in the bottom half of the first, as UMass maintained a 4-2 lead. The Zips added another run in the third with Massachusetts holding a 4-3 lead.
With one out in the top of the fifth, Tirado blasted a solo shot over the right field fence to extend Massachusetts' lead to 5-3. It marked Tirado's first homer of the year and fifth of his career.
Akron scored another run to keep it a close 5-4 game in the bottom half of the fifth.
Both teams held strong on defense for the final four frames, as the Minutemen ended the bottom of the ninth with a double play to save the run at home. The saved run gave UMass the 5-4 victory.
Gavin Sitarz (1-0) received the win for Massachusetts, allowing no runs, one hit, walking two and striking out one in two complete innings pitched. It marked Sitarz's first collegiate win. Jack Niedringhaus earned his second save of the year after giving up one hit with no runs, a walk and dealing one strikeout in an inning of work.
Elijah Griffith (2-1) took the loss for Akron, allowing five runs on four hits, a walk and striking out four in five complete innings.
UMass and Akron set for the rubber match on Sunday, March 15, at Skeeles Field in Akron, Ohio. First pitch is slated for a 12 p.m. start.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sitarz, Gavin (1-0)
L: Griffith, Elijah (2-1)
S: Niedringhaus, Jack (2)
Batting:
2B: O'Brien, Gavin 1
3B: Fox, Ty 1
HR: Tirado, Anthony 1 ; O'Brien, Gavin 1
RBI: Tirado, Anthony 1 ; Fox, Ty 1 ; Beverly, Jack 1 ; O'Brien, Gavin 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Tirado, Anthony 2 ; Fox, Ty 1 ; McCarthy, Reece 1 ; O'Brien, Gavin 1
Batting:
2B: Morgan, Brennan 1 ; Chrisman, Brody 1
RBI: Morgan, Brennan 1 ; Chrisman, Brody 1
SH: Biehl, Tucker 1 ; Melchione, Gio 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mathison, Gabe 1 ; Biehl, Tucker 1 ; Morgan, Brennan 2
SB: Mathison, Gabe 1 ; Chrisman, Brody 1 ; Heisler, Will 1 ; McConachie, Kyle 1
CS: Mathison, Gabe 1
HBP: Bowen, Brady 1 ; Melchione, Gio 1
