Box Score (PDF)

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Chris Ortega (Miami, Fla.) hit his first career home run, but the UMass Lowell (9-11) baseball team faltered late in a 6-3 loss to the Marist Red Foxes (10-10)  on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The River Hawks scored three times in the third, beginning with Ortega's solo shot over the left field wall. With runners on the corners and one out, Ian Strom (Hopedale, Mass.) doubled the lead with a single to right to score Joe Consolmagno (Worcester, Mass.). UMass Lowell took a 3-0 advantage on a RBI groundout from Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.).
 
After allowing three base runners in the first, Ricky Constant (Nashua, N.H.) did not allow another batter to reach base until the sixth inning.
 
In the sixth, Marist strung a pair of singles together with no outs, and loaded the bases with a walk. The Red Foxes scored their first run on a hit batter and tied the score with a two-run double to right center. Marist scored three more runs in the frame for the 6-3 advantage.
 
Constant tied his career high with three strikeouts through five innings in the effort. Spencer Bunting picked up the win in with four shutout innings of relief.
 
The River Hawks host their first America East series of the season, welcoming the Hartford Hawks to LeLacheur Park for a doubleheader (12 p.m., 3) on April 2 and wrap up the series on April 3 (12 p.m.).