In the second game of a three-game weekend series, the Huskiesreturned to Brooks Field seeking another win to tack onto their nine-game streak. Although they started out strong, the Seahawks were quick in their retaliation and climbed up to an insurmountable lead, defeating Northeastern 7-2.
The Huskies started on top, claiming the first run of the afternoon. Sophomore center fielder Mike Sirota was first at bat and walked to get on base. With a groundout from graduate student first baseman Tyler MacGregor and a fielding error, Sirota reached third base. He finally scored when senior designated hitter Alex Lane hit an RBI single down left field to put Northeastern on the board.
In the bottom of the inning, junior right-handed pitcher Eric Yost made quick work of the opposing batters. Redshirt junior left fielder Dillon Lifrieri hit a single to get on base, but was quickly tagged out in a double play that ended the inning.
While the Huskies struggled offensively as the game wore on, the Seahawks continued to gain momentum. Their efforts finally came to fruition in the bottom of the fourth when freshman first baseman Tanner Thach started off the inning with a home run. This caused Northeastern to stumble, allowing sophomore designated hitter John Newton to score unearned and claim the lead for the Seahawks.
After allowing two hits in his first two batters of the fifth innings, the Huskies pulled Yost for graduate student right-hander Patrick Harrington. Immediately, Thach notched his second home run of the day, this one a three-run smash.
As UNCW inched further and further ahead, Northeastern continued to struggle. After 1.2 innings of Harrington pitching, the Huskies replaced him with left-handed redshirt junior James Quinlivan. But just like before, the Seahawks were able to score immediately after the pitching change. Redshirt senior shortstop Taber Mongero scored unearned when Northeastern committed another error.
In the top of the seventh, the Seahawks made their only pitching change of the game. Sophomore right-hander Zane Taylor had thrown 95 pitches and only allowed five hits, so it was time for right-handed freshman Connor Kane to take over. Kane kept the Huskies at bay in his stint on the mound, ceding three hits in his 60 pitches and only allowing one run in his three innings.
UNCW scored its last run in the bottom of the seventh. After slowly advancing through the bases, redshirt junior third baseman Jac Croom ran home on a wild pitch.
With a six-run deficit, Northeastern made a last-ditch effort in the top of the ninth. With two outs and a full count, junior second baseman Luke Beckstein hit a homer to drive in Northeastern’s second run. But the team was unable to score another after him and the Seahawks took game two.
The Huskies return to Brooks Field one last time Sunday afternoon to see who will take the series. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.