BOSTON, MA (February 28. 2025) – The Beacons (2-0) outlasted the Bridgewater State Bears (0-1) in a thrilling 4-3 win from their home field, Monan Park, in the Beacs' second consecutive win to open the 2025 season.

Graduate right-hander Max Moss (Manhattan, N.Y.) got the nod to start the game on the mound, and pitched 4.2 innings, forced 10 outs (3 fly-outs, seven ground outs), and struck out four in 96 pitches against 23 batters. Logan Lawrence (Taunton, Mass.) earned the victory on the mound. In 1.1 innings, he threw 29 pitches against seven batters and forced four outs. Thomas Kierce (Cohasset, Mass.) earned himself the first Beacons' save of the 2025 season, as he entered in the top of the eighth inning to close out the final two frames. He struck out three of the five batters he faced on 17 pitches, and forced one fly-out to conclude the game's action. First-year Connor Curtis (Mansfield, Mass.) made his UMass Boston debut on the mound in the seventh inning. He pitched 1.2 innings against seven batters and struck out three batters in 24 pitches.
How it Happened:

• The Beacons scored their four total runs in the first three innings, bringing home one run in the first and second inning, and the final tow runs in the third inning.
• In the bottom of the first, UMass Boston scored one run on one hit and two Bridgewater State errors, while leaving one on base to end the frame.
• Bostyn Burris (Highland Village, Tex.) reached first on an error at first base, and was advanced to second on Justin Gouveia's single. Brandon Gaer's (Rocky Hill, Conn.) fielder's choice forced the second Bear's error of the inning allowing Burris to come across to score the Beacons' first run of the game.
• The Beacons added another run in the following inning on one hit, one error, and left one runner on. Mike Meagher (Barnstable, Mass.) reached first on an error at shortstop, allowing him to move into scoring position following Nick Farnacci's (Farmingdale, N.Y.) single. The two committed double robbery, pulling off a successful double-steal on Ryan Slack's (Derby, Conn.) strikeout. Breon Parker (Springfield, Mass.) was unable to join Farnacci and Meagher on base, but his hit allowed Meagher to come across to score the only run of the inning.
• In the third inning, the Beacons strung together five hits and scored two runs while leaving three on base. Burris opened the inning with a single. Another Gouveia single led to a walk for Gaer, bringing in Elliot Miles (Portsmouth, N.H.). Miles' single advanced Gaer to third and brought Gouveia home to score. Farnacci singled once again to bring in Gaer from third for the fourth and final Beacons' run.
• Defense was the name of the game to close out the final six innings. The Bears surged for three runs on three hits and one error in the fifth inning, coming within one run of the Beacons' lead. The ensuing four innings remained scoreless for both teams.
• In the top of the ninth inning and with Kierce on the mound, the Bears sent a shallow, playable fly ball just beyond second base. Miles beat all three outfielders to the spot and made a miraculous, game-saving, diving catch to make the out. Miles held onto the play despite a collision with Parker in center field. Kierce proceeded to put down the game's final two batters on looking strikeouts, as the Beacons took care of business in a tightly contested showdown from their home turf.

By the Numbers:

• Gouveia led all Beacons at the plate with a team-high three hits in four at-bats, while also coming across to score one of four Beacons' runs.
• Farnacci, Elliot, and Parker each add an RBI to their season totals following today's matchup. Farnacci sent home Gaer in the third inning with a single, Parker brought home Meagher with a fielder's choice in the second, and Miles' single brought in Gouveia in the third.
• Gouveia, Gaer, Burris and Meagher each came across to score the four runs in the win over the Bears.
• Gaer, Meagher, and Farnacci each got greedy and paid off on the base path with stolen bases.

Kierce's Corner:

• In reaction to today's win, Kierce shared a few words of encouragement for the squad, saying "It was a gritty win for sure. It was a full team effort. The pitching staff did a really good job. The freshman [Connor] Curtis out there really helped us. And obviously the play at the end with Elliot really helped us secure the win.". Kierce was asked how he remained composed under pressure of a tight finish, he replied with "We do 'help-breathing' all the time, working on getting our cleansing breathe, coach is really good about it. I just took my time and didn't speed myself up.". He closed out with a shoutout to Miles, saying "Elliot with his huge play at the end, he for sure changed the outcome and was a huge factor tonight.".

Coach's Corner:

• Head Coach Brendan Eygabroat provided context to the victory, saying "It was a good win. Bridgewater State has been to the Regional Tournament three years in a row, and are former MASCAC [Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference] Champions, I think for us to come out here and get an early season, good in-region win is really beneficial for us. I was really happy with the way we competed today… I was really happy with the pitching, and I thought our defense came up big in the end. Elliot's play was obviously huge in the ninth, and then Kierce came in and shut the door. We are hoping he can do a lot of that this season.".

Who's Next:

• UMass Boston will retake the field again tomorrow (Mar. 1) at 12:00 p.m. against the Worcester Polytechnical Institute (WPI) Engineers.
• For live results, follow the link HERE.
• For the live broadcast, follow the link HERE.