For the 21st time, Boston opened its spring schedule vs. Northeastern in Ft. Myers, Florida. And for the second time in three years, the Huskies gave the Red Sox a scare before falling, 5-2.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Northeastern University plays the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game at JetBlue Park, it’s fun for the players.
But it’s also fun for the coaches, the parents, the grandparents and the scouts.
For the second time in three years, the Huskies gave the Red Sox a scare before falling, 5-2, on Friday afternoon.
Northeastern scored two runs in the top of the second inning and held that lead until the fourth when Boston responded with four runs. The Red Sox tacked on a run in the sixth.
Boston now has won all 21 meetings in the series, which goes back to 1977.
Two years ago, Boston beat Northeastern, 5-3. Part of that has to do with the program coach Mike Glavine has built.
Last season, the Huskies went 38-17, the fourth time in 10 seasons under Glavine that they won 35 or more games.
In addition, Northeastern has seen 18 players get drafted since 2016.
“When I talked to the guys, I said we wanted to be competitive from the start,” Glavine said. “I thought we played really good defense today; and that’s a sign we didn’t have jitters.”
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Another example of not having jitters was a catch made by center-fielder Cam Maldonado.
“I spun around and the sun hit me,” he said. “My glasses fell off but I stayed with it and made the catch. Coach told us to have fun and we did.”
Catcher Gregory Bozzo added, “We came into this game to win.”
Bozzo helped guide pitchers Max Gitlin, a graduate student, junior James Morice, and freshmen Andrew Rogovic and Brett Mulligan who threw scoreless innings.
When fathers Andy Rogovic and Mark Mulligan were asked if their sons were excited, nervous or anxious going into the game, they said all three.
“And that goes for us, too,” they said.
Mark Mulligan added, “It’s a great environment. And we’re Yankees fans, so it’s different.”
Northeastern had just four baserunners and one hit but made it count.
In the second inning, shortstop Jack Goodman, singled and stole second. Designated hitter Matt Brinker walked and right-fielder Justin Brosland was hit by a pitch.
That brought up left-fielder Harrison Feinberg, who hit a hard ground ball that went past third baseman Nick Sogard. Two runs scored.
“I thought I hit it pretty hard,” Feinberg said. “I didn’t see it go by (Sogard) but I heard the crowd.”
Goodman, Maldonado, Feinberg and Bozzo said while playing the Red Sox is enjoyable, it’s also a great chance for them to show that they personally can compete against Major League players.
“It’s super fun,” said Goodman, a junior from Medfield, Massachusetts. “I’m a local kid. I remember growing up and going to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox.
“I think once I was out there, my first inning at shortstop, I got a ground ball and made the play. I settled in and showed I belonged.
“I think that (showing scouts) is in your mind but the first thing is to enjoy it and have fun,” he said. “Once you get there, ability plays and you got what you got. I got a hit, a stolen base so it was a good day.”
Pirates scout Eddie Charles, who covers the Northeast area of the country, said Northeastern players have popped up on his radar from the time he started working for Pittsburgh 10 years ago.
“They’re one of my focus points,” Charles said. “You know every year they’ll have players to watch.
“I was telling folks when I was coming in that I was watching amateur players; and to see them matched up with pros, it’s like gold for us. It’s a rare chance today to see them face an increased level of competition.”
Charles also said he liked seeing how young players react to adversity, especially in games like this.
Of the 18 Northeastern players who have been drafted, it’s led by Mike Sirota, a third-round pick last year in 2024 and Aaron Civale, a third-round pick in 2016 who now is pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Mike was my roommate last year so we talked about that,” Maldonado said. “That experience taught me a lot. You just have to play.”
All in all, Mike Glavine called it a great program day.
“It’s a game we circle every year,” he said. “The players’ parents come down here and support us. We have pre-game events with Northeastern alums.
“We all win.”
Besides parents Jennifer and Greg Bozzo watching their son Gregory, grandparents Bruna and Claudio Bozzo also came to JetBlue Park.
“It’s exciting, it’s an honor and he’s very good at it,” Bruna said.
Claudio added, “He was born to play.”
Gregory Bozzo has drawn the interest of the Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers.
“He has such a passion,” Jennifer Bozzo said. “It’s always exciting. I love baseball. I’m happiest when I’m at a baseball field.”
Former Massachusetts House Speaker Bob DeLeo, a Northeastern University Fellow for Public Life, attended the game.
Stephen Lynch, a 1989 Northeastern graduate who is CEO and president of Intellastar, threw out the first pitch.