UMass Baseball Swept by Dayton in Frustrating Doubleheader
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts baseball team faced an uphill battle on Friday at Earl Lorden Field, suffering twin defeats at the hands of the Dayton Flyers. The Minutemen endured a harsh opening act, falling 14-6 in the first game, followed by a 9-1 setback in the nightcap. This doubleheader marked a tough day for UMass as they now sit at 9-15-1 overall and 3-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In contrast, Dayton improved to 16-17 with a 6-5 record in league play.
Looking Ahead: Series Finale Awaits
As the teams prepare for the series finale, they’ll return to the diamond on Sunday, April 6 at 12 p.m., with live coverage available on ESPN+. UMass will be eager to reclaim their momentum and avoid further setbacks.
Game 1: A Rollercoaster of Missed Opportunities
Final Score: Dayton 14, Massachusetts 6
In the first contest of the doubleheader, UMass started strong, capitalizing on early scoring opportunities. Matt Travisano and Gavin O’Brien set the tone by each accumulating two hits, with O’Brien showcasing his power with a double. Moreover, Carter Hanson made his mark with a crucial two-run double to highlight offensive contributions.
UMass jumped ahead right out of the gate, thanks to a series of hits that loaded the bases. An unyielding Anthony Tirado crossed home plate first, followed by Hanson’s double to the right field that brought in two more runs, putting the Minutemen ahead 4-0.
However, it wasn’t long before Dayton responded. A sacrifice fly cut the lead to 4-1, and a solo home run in the fourth brought the Flyers even closer. UMass managed to extend the lead back to 5-2 with another run in the fifth, only for Dayton to explode in the seventh inning, scoring five unanswered runs to surge ahead 7-5.
Despite a fightback in the bottom of the ninth, where O’Brien recorded an RBI single, UMass ultimately fell short, conceding four more runs to finish the game at 14-6.
In this game, Bobby McDonough (0-2) took the loss after struggling to find his rhythm on the mound—yielding four runs in just two-thirds of an inning. On the other hand, Dayton’s Bennett LaPalm (5-1) pitched effectively in relief, earning the win after not allowing any runs over his pivotal inning and a third.
Game 2: An Uphill Climb That Fell Flat
Final Score: Dayton 9, Massachusetts 1
The second game proved to be a sequel of disappointment for UMass, as Dayton struck first with a solo home run in the opening inning. UMass continued to slip, finding themselves in a 4-0 hole by the end of the fourth inning, as the Flyers showcased their offensive power once more.
Dayton relentlessly applied pressure, adding two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh. For UMass, the lone bright spot came in the eighth inning when Tirado scored the only run for the Minutemen, but it was too little, too late. Ultimately, the game concluded with a 9-1 victory for Dayton.
Callen Powers (2-1) took the loss for UMass after pitching 5.2 innings and allowing six runs. Conversely, Dayton’s J.J. Gatti (3-3) claimed victory, holding the Minutemen scoreless for 5.1 innings, while his teammate Jackson Judy secured the save.
Reflections on the Doubleheader
The doubleheader served as a stark reminder for UMass of the intensity of competition in the Atlantic 10. With both bats and arms struggling, the Minutemen will need to regroup and refocus before facing Dayton again. Will UMass turn the tide in Sunday’s finale? Only time will tell, but fans and players alike are hoping to see a revitalized performance.
For more updates, follow the UMass Baseball Team’s official website as they aim to bounce back against Dayton.
