March 25, 2009

UMass Lowell, still looking for its first victory of the season, hosts Saint Anselm College in a doubleheader Wednesday at 3:00 in its 2009 home opener at River View Field.

The River Hawks, who have three returning players from last year’s 24-25 team along with 15 newcomers, came away empty in a 10-game stretch at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL.

The trip, however, was not without flashes of promise as the River Hawks battled No. 19 Nebraska-Omaha in a 3-2 loss in 10-innings on their final day.

Despite its new look, UMass Lowell was selected to finish second in the Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll on Feb. 19, receiving two first-place votes.

Senior CF Stacey Lajoie (Gardner, MA), a three-time NE-10 all-star, tops the list of returning players. Lajoie batted .336 with 31 runs, 27 RBI and seven home runs last year.

Saint Anselm, which finished 21-18 a year ago and was tabbed ninth in the NE-10 preseason poll, brings an 8-8 clip into today’s games and went 6-6 on a 12-game swing in Florida.

Since, the Hawks defeated Molloy (7-2, 5-4) on Mar. 21, but dropped a pair at Adelphi Mar. 22 (2-1, 9-3).

UMass Lowell returns home Saturday to host Assumption for a twin bill at 1:00.