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Cam Kneeland
Bob Ellis

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Balanced Offense Leads River Hawks Past American International, 14-3

Berger homers as the River Hawks surge past AIC, Lavoie strikes out eight

Cam Kneeland recorded his 140th career RBI.
Box Score

Junior Zach Berger (Coral Gables, Fla.) hit 3-for-3 with a solo home run and three runs scored to lead a balanced UMass Lowell baseball offense to a 14-3 win over American International on Thursday afternoon at LeLacheur Park.

The non-divisional victory improved the River Hawks' record to 24-15-1 on the season and 12-9-1 mark in Northeast-10 play. The Yellow Jackets slipped to 13-23-1 overall and 5-16-1 in conference action.

The River Hawks exploded for seven runs in the second inning to take control of the game early. Among the key hits, rookies Jimmy Ricoy (Lowell, Mass.) and Geoff DeGroot (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) hit RBI singles, while senior Cam Kneeland (Rowley, Mass.) and junior James Katsiroubas (Milton, Mass.) recorded sacrifice flies.

Kneeland's RBI was the 140th of his career, moving him into a three-way tie with Adam McCusker (2000-03) and Patrick Wilson (2004-07) for sixth all-time at UMass Lowell.

The lead grew over the next few innings as Berger hit a towering solo home run just inside the left field foul pole. Combined with a collection of hits and errors the River Hawks' led expanded to 12-0 by the end of the fourth.

The Yellow Jackets cut into the lead a bit in the sixth inning, scoring two on a double off the left field wall by Julian Concepcion (Woodstock Valley, Conn.). American International followed with an RBI double by Dan Asselin (Bennington, Vt.) before the rally was ended.

UMass Lowell tacked on a pair of runs in the eighth as Ricoy drew a bases loaded walk and Greg Wilson (Medford, Mass.) hit an RBI fielder's choice.

Starter Christian Lavoie (Hopkinton, Mass.) got the win on the mound (3-0), pitching six strong innings, allowing one earned run and striking out eight batters.

The River Hawks used a trio of relievers to close out the game. Nick Boutoures (Wilmington, Mass.), Mike Sloban (Merrimac, Mass.) and Dallas Nunes (Easton, Mass.) each tossed hitless frame and combined for five strikeouts.

In addition to Berger's big day, Ricoy also shined with a 3-for-4 showing, two RBI and three runs scored. DeGroot finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run, while Kneeland went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run.

With the win in the books, UMass Lowell will hit the road to tackle Southern New Hampshire in a trio of games this weekend in Manchester, NH. The River Hawks will play the Penmen twice on Saturday, starting at noon, and once on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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