Eagle Rally Comes up Short, MSU Falls 7-4 to UMass Lowell

Winchester, Ky. -- Morehead State rallies in the eighth and ninth-innings came up short as a pair of late three-run innings propelled UMass Lowell over the Eagles 7-4 in the 2026 baseball season opener at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester Friday.
 
Down 7-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, sophomore Aubrey Kearns led off with a single to right. Center fielder Kyle Krupp reached on a fielder's choice. Catcher Caden Sheridan walked and with two outs designated hitter Ian McCubbin drove a home run over the fence in left center to plate three runs and cut the UMass Lowell lead to 7-4.
 
In the ninth inning, freshmen Brayton Coomer and Nick Griffith led off the inning, but the rally fizzled.
 
With the score tied in the top of the seventh inning, UML scored three runs on two hits, also getting runners aboard with a walk and a hit batsman. The River Hawks' shortstop Zachary Scott plated two runs on a single through the left side.
 
UML's first baseman Sean O'Leary led off the bottom of the eighth with a home run over the right field fence. Three batters later, second baseman Jorge Burgos hit a two-run homer off the batter's eye in center field.
 
UMass Lowell scored in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Joshua Lopez reached on an error and scored on a ground out to second by O'Leary.
 
Morehead State got on the board when third baseman Griffin Olson drove a home run to lead off the fifth inning.
 
MSU starter Landon Waugh was strong for the Eagles, pitching five innings, allowing one hit. He notched seven strikeouts and walked one batter.
 
Senior Ethan Davis (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles, throwing an inning, allowing two earned runs.
 
Alfred Mucciarone (1-0) picked up the win for UML. He threw 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run and scattering five hits. He struck out five Eagle batters and walked two.
 
There has been another schedule change as the teams try to avoid unplayable weather. The Eagles and the River Hawks will play a doubleheader Saturday at George Rogers Clark High School with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
 
NOTABLE

• Morehead State smacked 10 hits led by McCubbin and Sheridan, who each went two for four at the plate.
• Morehead State pitchers recorded nine strikeouts. UML pitching notched 11 strikeouts.
• The Eagles left seven runners on base, while the River Hawks stranded six.