Rowan Masse’s Walk-Off Single Gives UMass Lowell 4-3 win over NJIT

For the first time since returning from their West Coast trip, the UMass Lowell River Hawks (13-17, 5-6) showed a toughness that was good to see. Despite falling behind 3-0 after just half an inning, the River Hawks kept battling and found a way to tie the game in the eighth. Then, in extra innings, DH Rowan Masse ripped a base hit to center field—one of his three hits on the night—to score Jorge Burgos with the winning run. UML walked off NJIT (10-19, 2-9) 4-3, claiming their first conference series victory of the year.

Jacob Jette got the start for UML, but his first inning was a struggle. With a stiff wind blowing out to right field, NJIT took full advantage. Following a leadoff single by Ty Sallie (2-for-4), Rowan O’Connor hit a wind-blown fly ball to right that carried out of LeLacheur Park for a two-run home run—his fourth of the year. Two batters later, Dillon Cam did the same, lofting a solo shot over the right-field wall for his first homer of the season to give the Highlanders a 3-0 lead.

Jette could have caved after the rocky start, but instead, he made adjustments that kept his team in the game. According to head coach Nick Barese, one of those changes was throwing more inside to right-handed hitters to induce soft contact. The adjustment worked; Jette went six innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs with no walks and four strikeouts. Though he received a no-decision, he effectively did his job.

NJIT starter Mark Scamardella was equally impressive, allowing only one run in six innings of work. That run came in the second after Masse was hit by a pitch and Joseph DeLanzo singled to left. Brayden Cali then came through with a single up the middle to score Masse. Barese called Scamardella’s performance “awesome,” as he finished with six hits allowed, one earned run, three walks, and eight strikeouts.

The game then shifted to the bullpens. UMass Lowell turned to what is becoming their reliable one-two punch: Jake LeFrancois and Nolan Geisler (3-1). The duo combined for four innings of two-hit ball with no walks and four strikeouts. Geisler provided massive punchouts in both the ninth and tenth innings to keep the score tied.

In the eighth, UML rallied against Highlanders reliever Brandon Peterson (0-2). A leadoff walk to Nicholas Solorzano was followed by a double to left by Masse. Joseph DeLanzo (3-for-4, 1 RBI) then hit an RBI groundout to second to make it 3-2. Barese went to his bench for pinch-hitter Ryan Strand, who executed a beautiful squeeze bunt down the first-base line to score Masse and tie the game at 3-3.

The deadlock sent the game into “free baseball.” NJIT managed to get a runner to third in the top of the tenth, but Geisler retired the next three hitters to escape the jam. In the bottom of the tenth, Burgos ripped a single to left that was misplayed by Austin Francis. After a Solorzano strikeout, Masse capitalized on an 0-1 pitch, lining the game-winning hit to center to score Burgos and secure the 4-3 walk-off win.

After the game, Masse discussed the importance of securing a Saturday win. His role has shifted recently from playing second base to serving as the DH, an adjustment he admitted has been “a little difficult.” He noted that the hardest part is staying on the bench instead of in the field, often pacing back and forth while waiting for his next at-bat. However, he remains focused on doing whatever it takes to help the team.

The UMass Lowell River Hawks will go for the series sweep on Sunday at noon.