BROOKLINE — After a disappointing loss to UNCW in Friday’s series opener, Saturday proved different: the Huskies rallied back from multiple deficits to once again defend Friedman Diamond and top UNCW 10-7. The mid-afternoon bout proved that the Huskies can play with one of the best teams in the CAA, and was a testament to their fight to be seen as a proven, successful team in Division I baseball.
On the mound for the Huskies was starting pitcher Aiven Cabral, who came into the day with a 7.14 ERA through 29 innings of work. His first 2 innings in Saturday’s game were quite strong, only letting two runners get on via a walk of Tanner Thatch in the first inning, and a Jack Goodman throwing error that allowed UNCW’S Bryan Arendt to reach first base in the second inning.
However, the third inning did not go as well for Cabral as the prior two had. In the top of the third, he allowed four hits and four runs, most of which came from a grand-slam that Trevor Marsh knocked over the center field wall. That soon led to the end of Cabral’s night and caused his ERA to rise to 7.67.
The positives, however, came plentiful for the Huskies. Noticeably, Northeastern’s bullpen came out strong to ensure that the Huskies had a chance to win the tight match-up. The group of relievers that head coach Mike Glavine relied on to get the job done were Jack Bowery, Cooper McGrath, Dennis Colleran, and Jack Beauchesne who combined to hold the Seahawks to 6 hits and only 3 runs through 6.1 innings of work.
“[The] bullpen was outstanding pitching under stress,” Glavine said.
All that being said, what helped the Huskies to victory the most was their booming offense, most importantly, Alex Lane. Lane came into the day as one of the hottest hitters in college baseball and certainly the strongest hitter for Northeastern, and he nearly single handedly willed the Huskies to victory. Lane secured five hits in five at bats, with five RBIs, and three home runs. It was one of Lane’s best games at the plate this season, when his team needed him most.
Other noticeable contributions on the offense came from Mike Sirota, who had a two-run double in the third, and Tyler MacGregor’s RBI single. The Huskies continue to get huge production from the top half of their lineup.
Northeastern will return to Friedman Diamond on Sunday for the rubber match of this 1-1 tied 3 game series at 1P.M. With Saturday’s win the Huskies improved to a record of 28-10, 10-4 in CAA play, and 10-2 at home.