UMass Lowell rallied for two runs in the seventh inning but it was not enough in a 4-3 loss to the University of the Sciences (Pa.) Saturday in a non-conference season-opening baseball clash in Flemington, N.J.

UMass Lowell (0-1) meets St. Thomas Aquinas Sunday in a twin bill beginning at 11:00. University of the Sciences improved to 1-0.

UMass Lowell committed seven errors and left the bases loaded on two occasions in the loss. The River Hawks drew 10 walks on the day along with four hits.

USP broke a 1-1 deadlock in the sixth inning where it scored three runs on three UMass Lowell errors. Junior Jay McMahon highlighted the inning with an RBI single while senior Jeff Murtha (walk), sophomore Mike Gartland and sophomore Connor Lenox each scored on errors.

The River Hawks pulled two back in the sixth inning behind a two-run double by senior Cam Kneeland (Rowley, Mass.), but could muster no closer.

UMass Lowell opened the scoring in the second inning behind an RBI single by freshman Jimmy Ricoy (Lowell, Mass.). USP answered back in the fourth when senior Lou Tomasetti was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a single by senior Dennis Murphy and reached home on an error.

Senior P Dallas Nunes (Easton, Mass.) took the loss as he relieved senior Tyler Toyfair (Agawam, Mass.) in the sixth inning and scattered three unearned runs, three hits and a walk while striking out one. Toyfair started the game and went five innings, allowing three hits, three walks and an unearned run while striking out six.

Senior P Greg Nealis earned the win as he went 3.0 innings in relief and allowed two earned runs and two hits while striking out three.