MANHEIM, Pa. – It was opening day for the UMass Dartmouth baseball team, who opened their 2025 campaign on the road, shouldering a pair of losses to nationally-ranked Penn State Harrisburg. The Nittany Lions opened game one with a 9-3 win, edging out the Corsairs, 9-8 in 11 innings in game two.
Game one saw the homestanding Nittany Lions get on the board, taking advantage in the top of the first as sophomore catcher Coy Schwanger singled to left with a runner in scoring position. UMass Dartmouth answered in the top of the fourth as a two-on situation set up senior designated hitter
Chance Checca for a double to drive in both runners for a 2-1 lead.
The home team answered in the bottom of the fifth as senior utility Brendan Henn doubled to tie the game up. In the sixth, the Nittany Lions struck, dropping in six runs, including a three-run double from junior infielder Alexander Ruiz for the 8-2 lead. Penn State added another run to close out the sixth and the Corsairs added their final run in the top of the seventh to cap the scoring.
Senior left fielder
Liam Blesi went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Checca was 1-for-2 with two runs batted in. On the mound, the Corsairs saw senior lefthander
Adam Maher go 4.0 innings, allowing just one run on one hit with nine strikeouts and three walks surrendered. Junior right hander
Ray Boutiette suffered the loss, allowing four runs on three hits with two walks, while junior
Seamus Marshall pitched 1.0 innings with four runs allowed on four hits.
In game two, the runs were aplenty for both programs as Checca got things going in the top of the second with an RBI single. The lead was shortlived as sophomore first baseman Demetre Koutras III belted a two-run single to gain the 2-1 advantage.
The Nittany Lions opened up an 8-1 margin into the fourth inning, but the Corsairs charged back into it in the fifth inning. Junior center fielder
Brett Baker got things going with two one, reaching on a fielder's choice as junior right fielder Austin Paglienttini came in to score from third.
With bases loaded, graduate student first baseman
Joe Muzio was next to the plate, cracking his first home run – a grand slam – to close the gap to 8-5 after five innings of play. Heading into the top of the seventh, a walk to grad student catcher
Matt Tempone brought home another run in a bases loaded situation to make it an 8-6 contest.
Another Corsair home run – this time a two-run shot from Baker – tied the game at 8-8 in the top of the eighth inning and the two teams battled scoreless into extra innings locked in the tie. In the bottom of the 11th, Penn State Harrisburg struck as a single through the right side with three on brought home the game winner.
Muzio went 3-for-6 with a run scored and three runs batted in, while Baker was 2-for-6 on the night, adding two runs scored and three RBI. Senior righty
Ian-James McCasland went 3.2 innings, allowing eight runs (7 earned) on six hits, surrendering six walks with three strikeouts. Sophomore righthander
Dillon Harding pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just two hits, while classmate and left hander
Jordan Paradis pitched 2.0 innings with a hit allowed and two strikeouts. Junior righty
Geordan Jackson Murphy shouldered the loss, allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
The Corsairs are set to return to action on March 8 when they open play at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. UMD opens with a doubleheader against Ohio Northern beginning at 5:15pm at the Northeast Regional Park in Davenport, Florida.
