March 24, 2011
Box Score
Connor Burnham (Harwich, Mass.) tallied four RBI as the River Hawk offense overpowered Bentley University on Thursday afternoon at DeFelice Field, 14-6.
UMass Lowell baseball picked up its third win in a row to improve to 15-2 on the season and a perfect 2-0 in Northeast-10 play. Bentley suffers its second straight loss to open conference play and stands at 6-11 overall.
The Falcons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, picking up a tally on a one-run triple by Chris Hardy (Warwick, R.I.). Despite the rocky start, pitcher Garrett Cole (Manchester, N.H.) responded with two quick outs, including a three-pitch strikeout of clean-up hitter Greg Baggett (East Bridgewater, Mass.).
After struggling to generate offense early, UMass Lowell erupted in the middle innings to the tune of 14 runs.
Adam Kneeland (Lowell, Mass.) kicked off the fireworks with a two-run triple in the fourth, followed by an RBI single from Connor Burnham (Harwich, Mass.).
The River Hawks added to their lead with five runs in the fifth. Among the big swings, Mark Sanborn (Hopkinton, Mass.) hit a bases loaded single for a pair of RBI.
The offensive outburst reached its peak in the top of the sixth as UMass Lowell plated six more runs to expand its lead to 14-1. Five different players recorded an RBI in the frame, including a two-run single by Burnham.
Bentley made some headway with five runs in the sixth and seventh innings, highlight by a three-run home run from Hardy. The score, however, would get no closer than 14-6.
Cole pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs--one earned--and walking two. The sophomore gave up four hits and struck out five batters. Bryant Guilmette (Hopkinton, Mass.) tossed the next two innings, surrendering four runs, three hits and a pair of walks. Tyler Toyfair (Agawam, Mass.) pitched a scoreless ninth.
The River Hawks finished the game with an eye-opening 18 hits. Among the day's big performances, Burnham went 2-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored. Sanborn collected a hit, two RBI and three runs, while Jordan Silva (Groveland, Mass.) was a perfect 3-for-3 with a pair of runs and an RBI.
UMass Lowell will look to keep the momentum rolling as they host New Haven on Saturday in a double-header at LeLacheur Park, scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.
