BROOKLINE — After a disappointing 11-inning, 9-8 loss on Wednesday against Kansas State, Northeastern looked to get back in the win column against UNCW.
Entering Friday’s matchup, the Seahawks sat in the top spot in the CAA with a 10-2 record, with the Huskies close behind in second place at 9-3. Unfortunately for NU, the UNCW bats came alive early en route to a lopsided 11-5 defeat.
“The tone right away in the first inning was just not in attack mode,” said Northeastern head coach Mike Glavine. “There wasn’t really a lot of competitiveness and toughness from our team to start the game.”
UNCW head coach Randy Hood gave the ball to the Friday starter and ace RJ Sales. Sales entered the action leading the Seahawks with 52 and ⅔ innings pitched.
The hurler continued his success and twirled a gem, going six innings, striking out 10, and not allowing a Husky to cross the plate.
For Glavine and Northeastern, redshirt senior Jake Gigliotti toed the slab, coming off a rough outing against Delaware in which he allowed four earned runs over four innings.
After using eight pitchers in the game against Kansas State game, the Huskies needed Gigliotti to work a substantial number of innings.
Unfortunately, the right-hander lasted just one frame and allowed four runs —three of which were earned.
“[Gigliotti] didn’t help himself,” Glavine said. “He had a bunch of guys with two strikes. Couldn’t put anybody away.”
By the fifth inning, the Seahawks had full control with a commanding 11-0 lead. Redshirt senior Trevor Marsh crushed two home runs. Furthermore, sophomore Tanner Thach, who entered the contest tied for third in the nation with 20 homers, connected on his 21st, his second consecutive game with a round-tripper.
Northeastern had their offensive opportunities scattered throughout the afternoon but could not capitalize, failing to score in two separate innings with the bases loaded.
However, the Huskies escaped what would have been their first shutout of the season in the ninth inning, scoring five times to cut the deficit to six runs.
“We didn’t take the field believing we were gonna win,” Glavine said. “We got the result that we deserved.”
Northeastern has been a little banged up as of late, with juniors Justin Bosland and Jack Doyle on the shelf with injuries. Glavine gave an update on their statuses.
“[Bosland] hopefully back in a couple of weeks,” he said. “Doyle the same. It’s just next man up right now. No excuses.”
The Huskies are back in action for two-weekend games to finish this three-game set with UNCW. Game two begins on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. Max Schwartzberg and Luke Graham will be on the call on WRBB Sports+.