April 26, 2011

Box Score

UMass Lowell baseball couldn't recover from a fast start by Franklin Pierce as the River Hawks fell 3-0 on Tuesday night in Rindge, NH.

The loss halted UMass Lowell's eight-game winning streak and dropped its record to 30-7 overall and 14-5 in Northeast-10 competition. The red-hot Ravens improved to 33-7 on the campaign and 17-3 in conference action.

Franklin Pierce put the pressure on starter Jack Leathersich (Beverly, Mass.) early, recording a pair of two-out hits to get runners in scoring position in the first inning. Freshman first baseman Zach Mathieu (Derry, N.H.) came through for the Ravens with a two-run single into center to take the early advantage.

Despite getting two quick outs in the second inning, Franklin Pierce struck again with an RBI single off the bat of Dan Hennigan (Downingtown, Pa.).

After the rocky first two innings, Leathersich (5-2) settled down to retire the Ravens efficiently over the next five-plus frames. Leaving after seven and one-thirds innings, Leathersich allowed eight hits, three earned runs and struck out nine batters. Taking over on the mound, Tyler Toyfair (Haverhill, Mass.) and Mike Sloban (Merrimac, Mass.) split the last two outs of the eighth.

The River Hawk offense struggled to generate many threats on the evening, failing to advance a runner past second base. Pitcher Ryan Thompson (Calgary, Alta.) threw a complete game shutout for Franklin Pierce, striking out the side in the ninth to secure the win.

Right fielder Dylan Flynn (Upton, Mass.) was the lone bright spot at the plate for UMass Lowell. Flynn had two of the team's four hits, including a double down the left field line in the seventh.

Eager to put the loss behind them, the River Hawks will be right back at it tomorrow as they host Post at LeLacheur Park at 7 p.m.