AUBURNDALE, FL

The Owls played three games at a different facility, Lake Myrtle Sports Park, to round out their 2026 RussMatt. This was the location that the Owls played all their 2024 Florida games at, and is a natural grass facility. UMPI lost two agonizingly close ones to MCLA on Thursday afternoon, and then took a lot of positives away when they battled with one of the top teams in the state, a contender in the NESCAC – Bates College.

Thursday Game 1: 7-6 Trailblazers

Game one was one of the more frustrating losses of the trip for UMPI, a game where they clawed all the way back, only to lose it late. MCLA took advantage of miscues early, scoring twice in the second inning off throwing errors to jump out to a 2-0 lead.

MCLA kept adding on in the 4^th, using timely hits to stretch it to 5-0. UMPI struggled to get anything going early, but finally broke through in the 5^th. Carter Murphy came around to score on a passed ball, getting the Owls on the board and making it 5-1.

After MCLA added another run, UMPI delivered their best inning of the day in the 7^th. Mason Long got it started with an RBI single, then Diego Maldonado came through with a big two-run hit down the line. The play got chaotic, with errors allowing multiple runs to score, and suddenly the Owls had brought it within one despite being down to their last out a few batters prior. Mitchell Kley followed Maldonado's hit with another RBI knock to cap off the rally, and force a bottom of the 7^th.

But just as quickly as UMPI grabbed momentum, MCLA answered. In the bottom half of the inning, the Trailblazers put together a go-ahead RBI single to walk it off and hand the Owls a 7-6 loss.

Top Performers:

At the plate, Kley led the way with two hits, while Maldonado drove in two runs. Mason Long and Kalen Coleman also contributed key hits during the comeback inning. On the mound, Mike Langley started and worked three innings, while Seth Espling became the unsung hero when he took the mound for the fourth straight day for the Owls. It was a gutsy performance in relief from the UMPI freshman who left it all out there, but ended up taking the loss

Thursday Game 2: 4-2 Trailblazers

Game two had a similar feel, tight, competitive, but just out of reach. MCLA got on the board in the first with an RBI double, but UMPI answered back in the third when Ronnie Golmon scored on a wild pitch to tie things up. Golmon continued to make things happen in the fifth, using his speed to steal third and eventually score on a throwing error, giving UMPI a 2-1 lead.

In the very next half inning, MCLA responded. A couple of RBI singles tied the game, and then a heads-up baserunning play allowed the go-ahead run to score, putting the Trailblazers up 4-2.

UMPI had chances late, loading the bases in the 7^th, giving the possibility of another late rally, but couldn't find the big hit to get UMPI over the hump, falling by the final of 4-2.

Top Performers:

Ronnie Golmon was a bright spot, going 2-for-3 and scoring both runs. Mitchell Kley added two more hits, and Brock Black chipped in with a hit as well. Garrett Chadwick got the start on the mound and went the distance, throwing a complete game while striking out eight. He pitched well enough to get the win, but had to be tagged with the loss

Friday Single Game: 15-7 Bobcats

The Owls closed out the RussMatt Invitational with a 15-7 loss to Bates College in a game that had its moments but ultimately slipped away late. Bates built an early lead and kept pressure on throughout, jumping ahead behind timely hitting and taking advantage of free passes. Down 7-0, most teams would have rolled over, recognizing the score and what they were up against. But the Owls refused.

UMPI started to find some rhythm in the 6th, with Carter Murphy bringing in a run on a sacrifice fly followed by Garrett Chadwick delivering an RBI single to cut into the deficit and end the Bobcats' shutout bid. The Owls kept battling in the 7^th as Ronnie Golmon added an RBI knock, but Bates responded immediately with a big inning to stretch the lead again.

UMPI showed its best fight in the 8^th, putting together a four-run rally sparked by Chadwick's second RBI hit of the day. The Owls manufactured runs including a sac-fly from Aiden Toy. Kalen Coleman and Brock Black helped keep the pressure on as UMPI trimmed the deficit to four, but Bates answered once more with a decisive inning to finish the game.

Top Performers:

At the plate, Chadwick led the way going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Ronnie Golmon added two hits and an RBI of his own. Sammy Bay chipped in with a hit and a run scored as well. On the mound, Diego Maldonado went six innings, battling through traffic before Romeo Harris and Mason Long finished things out in relief.

Up Next:

With the loss, UMPI wraps up its Florida trip after a stretch full of weather delays, high-scoring games, and tough competition. The Owls showed flashes offensively throughout the week and will look to make that more consistent into conference play. UMPI thanks everyone who supported the team down in Florida and now turns its focus to Thomas College, with games set for March 28th and 29th.