Every year since 2004, the Northeastern Huskies have been invited to play the Boston Red Sox in a spring training game in Fort Myers, Florida. But last Friday the opportunity was especially memorable: They were facing the World Series champions, who had won a club-record 119 games to earn their place as the greatest team in franchise history.

“It was really a dream come true,” says Northeastern starting pitcher Kyle Murphy, who stayed up late to watch every inning of Boston’s five World Series games against the Los Angeles Dodgers four months ago.

Though a Red Sox lineup of reserves and prospects prevailed 6-0, Northeastern coach Mike Glavine views the afternoon at JetBlue Park as a growing experience.

“I was really impressed with the way we played them this year,” says Glavine, a former big-leaguer who is the brother of Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. “Of not just being in awe of the moment, but having fun, embracing it, and playing to our best abilities. We’re going to beat them one of these years.”

It was a day of little victories. Murphy, a redshirt junior, set the tone with a perfect first inning of 10 pitches. In between plays, the Huskies could be seen chatting with Red Sox players and asking for advice. It was an educational experience to be remembered for the rest of their lives.

“All the families are there, you see them in the stands,” says sophomore shortstop Scott Holzwasser, who went 1 for 3. “My best friends came from home to see me.”

Adam Glanzman, an award-winning photographer for News@Northeastern, captured the action. Take a look.

Photos by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Photos by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University