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Kingston, R. I. (March 11, 2014) – An opportunistic UMass Lowell baseball team built a solid lead in the middle innings and defeated the University of Rhode Island, 8-4, Tuesday afternoon, at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, R. I.

With the win, UMass Lowell upped its record to 6-2, Rhode Island dropped to 2-11.

"We had some timely hits, we ground out at bats," said Head Coach Ken Harring.  "We put pressure on their infield and were able to capitalize on some mistakes."

The game was the River Hawks first in ten days and some of the rust showed.

"It wasn't the prettiest game," said Harring.  "It's what you'd expect after ten days off, but I'll take it."

On a day when hits were at a premium, the River Hawks made theirs count.  Five hits, four of them for extra bases, helped produce eight runs.  Sophomore Joe Consolmagno (Worcester, Mass.), who had been struggling to find some consistency in his swing, led the way with a double and a triple in two plate appearances; he drove in three runs.

"He looked more comfortable (at the plate)," said Harring.  "He put some good swings on the ball; both of his hits came with two strikes."

UMass Lowell pushed two runs across the plate, without the benefit of a base hit, in the fourth inning thanks in no small part to sloppy defense by the home team.  A walk, two infield errors and two hit batsmen helped produce a 2-0 lead, but also left the bases loaded.

A junior Danny Mendick (Rochester, N. Y.) one out fifth inning double into the left field corner gave the River Hawks their first hit of the day and also opened the door to another two-run inning.  Two walks, the Rams third infield miscue and an infield out upped the score to 4-0.

Consolmagno put the game out of reach with the loudest hit of the day, a two-out two run triple in the seventh inning.

UMass Lowell added another run in the 8^th on a junior Jimmy Ricoy (Lowell, Mass.) double to right and Consolmagno finished out the scoring with an RBI double in the ninth.

The bullpen featured a revolving door, Rhode Island used nine pitchers, and UMass Lowell sent five to the mound.

Senior right-hander Mike Calzetta (Lawrence, Mass.) the second River Hawk pitcher picked up his first win of the year with a scoreless third inning; he struck out one.

Senior Nick Boutoures (Wilmington, Mass.) closed it out with a scoreless ninth inning.  He allowed one hit and put an exclamation point on the afternoon by striking out the final two hitters he faced.

UMass Lowell returns to action with three games this weekend against Binghamton University.  The Bearcats were the America East representative in the NCAA tournament last season and one of the conference favorites this year.  The two will square off in a doubleheader Saturday, starting at noon, and a single game on Sunday, also at noon, scheduled for LeLacheur Park.