TOWSON, Md. — The University of Massachusetts Minutemen baseball team faced a challenging day as they fell to Towson University in a high-scoring slugfest, losing 20-15 on March 19, 2025, at the John B. Schuerholz Park. Despite a valiant effort that included a season-high five home runs, UMass could not overcome an early 10-run deficit.
The trouble for the Minutemen started early when their starting pitcher, Sam Belliveau, struggled in the second inning. Brady Nathison opened the scoring for the Tigers with a home run that tied the game at one. The offensive barrage continued as Ethan Brand also hit a home run, pushing Towson to an overwhelming 11-1 lead by the end of the second. After facing seven batters without finding a single out, Belliveau was replaced by Michael Aceto. However, he too faced difficulties, surrendering five runs during his brief stint on the mound before Dylan Terwilliger was called in to regain some control.
Terwilliger managed to stabilize the situation momentarily, finishing with three innings pitched and allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks. "Unfortunately, it took [Towson's] best hitter who had six hits [on Wednesday]," head coach Matt Reynolds remarked on Terwilliger's performance. Despite impressive efforts from the bullpen, which included a combined 11 walks and 20 earned runs allowed over all relievers, the damage had already been done.
In what could have been a demoralizing game for UMass, they rallied with a response after the chaotic second inning. The Minutemen scored five runs in the third, showcasing their resilience. Anthony Tirado was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Jared Munoz hit a two-run homer, quickly followed by another home run from Carter Hanson. Throughout the game, Munoz stood out among the Minutemen hitters, finishing with two home runs and four RBIs, marking his career high.
Despite UMass's efforts to chip away at Towson's lead, it was clear that every inning was a battle. The Tigers, propelled by Max D'Alessandro's impressive performance—where he recorded six hits and five RBIs, including a grand slam—managed to maintain their edge. By the end of the inning, they had reached a staggering 19-11 lead.
The Minutemen continued to swing aggressively and mounted another comeback attempt in the eighth inning, highlighted by Willi's home run bringing the score to 19-14. This marked UMass’s fifth home run of the day, showcasing their offensive capabilities, but it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum entirely. As Towson extended their lead further, UMass found themselves in a tricky position where every run counted.
In the final frame, Jack Beverly's single gave UMass a last shot, advancing to second on a passed ball. However, the Minutemen could only score one more run, ultimately ending the game with a final score of 20-15. "Overall, just from a pitching standpoint, [we were] just behind… misexecuting pitches, missing signs. It was just really, really not good on our [pitching] staff," Reynolds commented, reflecting the team's struggles throughout the game.
As the season progresses, UMass stands at 6-8-1 overall and 1-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, needing to refocus and improve their pitching strategies ahead of their next games. They are set to play against Fordham in a three-game series starting March 21, aiming to recover and build momentum.
In anticipation of the upcoming series, fans and analysts alike will look to see how the Minutemen adjust and respond to the offensive challenges they've faced during this match. Reynolds noted, "We knew it was a really good day to hit... we just needed better control in the pitching department to fully capitalize on offensive opportunities." With this in mind, UMass will work diligently to sharpen their skills as they prepare to confront Fordham in what promises to be another intense competition.
