March 31, 2010

Box Score

UMass Lowell baseball (13-11, 2-6 NE-10) lost its second game in as many chances to Southern New Hampshire (7-13, 2-3 NE-10) on Wednesday afternoon, 4-3. Freshman David Smith (Amesbury, MA) collected two hits and two RBI in the loss.

The River Hawk offense was stifled in the early going, held hitless through the first three innings. The Penmen were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead in the third after a string of hits put runners on the corners with one out. Eric Pelletier (Beverly, MA) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Brendan O'Brien (East Bridgewater, MA).

UMass Lowell knotted the score at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning with a RBI tally from Smith. Sophomore Matt Jacobs (Hudson, MA) doubled to right field with one out and advanced to third on a fly out from Taylor von Kriegenbergh (Stoneham, MA). With two outs, Smith hit a clutch single up the middle to plate Jacobs.

Southern New Hampshire answered back quickly, picking up three runs in the next two innings. The Penmen notched an RBI double from Thomas Quicker (West Islip, NY) in the bottom of the fifth and a two run double down the left field line from Joe Minucci (Madison, CN) in the sixth.

Jared Notargiacomo (Newburyport, MA) led off the seventh with a double to left center and moved over to third on a ground out by JT Leary (Newburyport, MA). Jacobs hit a ground out to the short stop on the next play that was deep enough to score Notargiacomo and cut the deficit to 4-2.

The River Hawks looked poised for a big eighth inning after a pair of singles and an error put men on second and third with no outs. Southern New Hampshire rebounded quickly, striking out three straight batters to escape the jam unharmed.

UMass Lowell was able to mount a small rally in the ninth, starting with a one-out single by Jacobs. Following a wild pitch and a line out, Smith came through with another two-out RBI single the cut the score to 4-3. The run was the final offensive outburst from the River Hawks as they came up short on the day.

Starter Dan White (Southboro, MA) battled through five innings, surrendering four runs and striking out five. He was relieved by Dallas Nunes (Easton, MA) who shined in three scoreless innings on the mound. Nunes allowed just one hit and struck out two batters.

UMass Lowell will have a few days to bounce back, returning home to host St. Rose in a double-header at LeLacheur Park on Saturday. Game one is scheduled for 12 p.m,