March 23, 2011

Box Score

Photo Gallery

Rookie Dylan Flynn (Upton, Mass.) came through with the game-winning single in the eighth inning, pushing the River Hawks to a 4-3 victory over Bentley in its Northeast-10 opener on Wednesday. The late innings victory also marked UMass Lowell's home opener at LeLacheur Park.

The red hot River Hawks improve to 14-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play while the Falcons fall to 6-10 on the season and 0-1 in the Northeast-10.

UMass Lowell hit the ground running in the first, plating a pair of runners on RBI singles by James Katsiroubas (Milton, Mass.) and Rob Noe (Lynnfield, Mass.).

The River Hawks scored again in the second, pushing their lead to 3-0 on a sacrifice fly by Matt Jacobs (Hudson, Mass.), bringing home Mark Sanborn (Hopkinton, Mass.).

The Falcons staged a partial comeback in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Logan Gillis (Merrimack, N.H.) floated a two-out RBI double over the right fielder's head. In the next at bat, Chris Hardy (Warwick, R.I.) looped a single into left that allowed Gillis to come home, cutting the score to 3-2.

Bentley pulled even in the seventh as Mark Lane (Tyngsboro, Mass.) laced a two-out single into centerfield, allowing Lamarre Rey (Lynn, Mass.) to score from second.

With the game hanging in the balance, UMass Lowell came through in the eighth with the eventual game-winning hit. Reigning NE-10 Rookie of the Week Flynn chipped an RBI single into right field with runners on first and third, plating Cam Kneeland (Rowley, Mass.).

Freshman hurler Mike Calzetta (Lawrence, Mass.) pitched the first seven innings, allowing six hits, three runs and one walk. Calzetta, who struck out five, left with the game with the score tied at 3-3. Taylor Robinson (Haverhill, Mass.) pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out two and getting the win. Dallas Nunes (Easton, Mass.) closed out the ninth for his third save of the season.

The two teams will battle again tomorrow, switching venues to the Bentley campus at 3:30 p.m.