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BROOKLINE, Mass. – Despite sprinting out to a 6-0, first-inning lead against Harvard during Wednesday's championship game of the 29th annual Baseball Beanpot, the Northeastern baseball team was unable to keep its advantage throughout the remainder of the afternoon at Friedman Diamond as the Huskies ultimately finished runner-up to the Crimson, 8-6.
 
Northeastern (18-11) blew the doors off the first inning, batting around to the tune of six runs courtesy of only two hits – the second of which plated four runs via Kyle Peterson's second grand slam of the 2018 Beanpot tournament.
 
Charlie McConnell drew a leadoff walk off Harvard starting pitcher Kevin Stone to begin the Huskies' day at the plate. McConnell proceeded to steal second base and completed his trip around the bags following successive infield ground balls by Cam Walsh and Scott Holzwasser, who picked up his 16th RBI and happened to reach safely by way of Buddy Mrowka's errant throw from shorstop.
 
With Northeastern leading, 1-0, Holzwasser remained aggressive by swiping second base, allowing him to occupy third base after Jake Farrell's single to right field. In the aftermath of NU gaining a 2-0 edge via back-to-back walks issued to Max Burt and Ian Fair, Peterson unloaded his second career homer – and second career grand slam – to the right field bleachers, putting the Huskies in the driver's seat early.
 
Harvard (13-14) responded with two unearned runs against Northeastern rookie Sam Jacobsak during the top of the second inning. After Fair had been unable to turn a groundout at third base for the second out, Devan Peterson took advantage, knocking a two-RBI double to right center as the Crimson reduced the NU lead to 6-2.
 
Mimicking Northeastern's six-run first inning, Harvard posted a matching six-count during the top of the third inning, bringing all nine batters to the dish. Patrick Robinson and Matt Rothenberg belted RBI singles to chip the Huskies' lead down to 6-4 before Mrowka powered a three-RBI triple to the deepest part of Friedman Diamond, awarding the Crimson their first lead of the game at 7-6.
 
Mrowka would also come home, scoring on Devan Peterson's ensuing sacrifice fly as Harvard built an 8-6 lead through two and a half innings.
 
Northeastern was presented with an array of run-scoring opportunities as the game progressed, despite stranding two runners aboard during the third and eighth innings, in addition to leaving the bases loaded during the bottom of the fifth.
 
With the victory, Harvard celebrated its fifth Baseball Beanpot championship during tournament history. The Huskies finished runner-up for the second time during the last three seasons and eighth time overall.
 
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Northeastern will travel to College of Charleston, where the Huskies will compete during the marquee CAA series against the Cougars, beginning on Friday, April 13.