MEDFORD, MA (March 31, 2026) – The Tufts University baseball team fought off any comeback attempt from the visitors to defeat the Anchormen of Rhode Island College, 7-5, in a non-conference contest at Sol Gittleman Park this afternoon.
The Jumbos (13-4, 1-2 NESCAC), began with
Mitchell Hwang on the bump for his first start of the season. The junior conceded his first earned run of the season after a home run in the top of the first. Hwang finished his day with three strikeouts and two runs allowed on three hits in 3.0 innings pitched.
The Anchormen put the first run on the board in the first inning to take an early lead. With two outs on the board, Daniel Cascio crushed a ball over the tall right field fence to make it 1-0.
Tufts took no time to respond as they put up a run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one.
Jack Kamin led off the inning with a sky-high solo shot that made its way over the right field wall.
Rhode Island reclaimed a one-run advantage in the top of the third. Parker Camelo doubled into left center field and scored from an RBI single into left field by Aiden Bolwell.
The Jumbos scored three runs in the bottom of the same inning to take a 4-2 lead.
AJ Seidel opened the frame with a double into right center field, but was tagged out at third trying for a triple. Kamin then singled into left and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Tate Bannish brought Kamin home from third to tie it with an RBI double.
Owen McKiernan sent a two-run long ball over the left field fence to give Tufts the two-run difference.
George Threats hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half. Camelo drove home his second and third RBIs of the game in the top of the fifth to give the Anchormen a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Gavin Lind hit a sacrifice fly ball into deep right field to send Kamin home and knot the game at five. Kamin reached on a single to lead off the inning and advanced to third base after he stole second and moved to third due to Casey Williams walking Bannish and McKiernan.
The Jumbos notched the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Tom Pender started off with a double down the left field line and scored from an RBI single into left field by Seidel. Pender topped of his electric day by blasting a homer over the left field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Jumbos an insurance run.
Lachlan Ellis relieved
Rhys Shannon in the fifth inning with a runner on second and recorded three quick outs to get out of the frame. Ellis was in total control today and earned the win with four strikeouts and no runs allowed on just one hit in 4.0 innings of dominance.
Derek Desmarais replaced Ellis in the top of the ninth to capture his fourth save of the season.
Kamin, McKiernan, and Pender all homered in the victory. Kamin (3-for-4), Pender (3-for-3), and Seidel (2-for-4) all collected multiple hits in the contest.
The Jumbos are back home on Friday for NESCAC action against Colby at 3 PM.
--JUMBOS--
