DSU Box Score (PDF) | Delaware Box Score (PDF)

NEWARK, Del. – The UMass Lowell (3-3) baseball team split the first day of the Bob Hannan Invitational. Sophomore Andrew Ryan (Rochester, Mass.) struck out 10 batters and only allowed one hit in seven innings, in the 3-0 win against Delaware State Hornets (0-10) in game one. The River Hawks fell in game two, 4-2, to the hosts Delaware Blue Hens (5-3). 

The 10 strikeouts were the most for any River Hawk pitcher in one game in the Division I era, passing Shane Beauchemin's nine strikeouts in the program's first contest in DI against Temple on February 23, 2014. Ryan improved to 2-0 on the season and boats a 0.64 ERA.

"In game one Andrew Ryan came out and pitched a great game, followed up by Timmy Fallo for the combined one-hitter," said Head Coach Ken Harring. "We didn't swing the bats the way we normally do, but it was great to grind out a win like that. Their freshman pitched well, but Passatempo continues to show why we brought him in here with that big hit to get us going, and Andy Savard had a big double to give us some comfort. In game two, we just didn't make plays in the first inning and it cost us a chance in extra innings, but that what happens with a young team. We've got young players and we're going to have days like this, but you have to tip your cap to Delaware's starter, he made it hard on us all day and was the difference."

Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) connected on his fourth career home run in the second to give UMass Lowell a 1-0 advantage, which would be all Ryan needed. The River Hawks extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth, following an Andy Savard (Tyngsboro, Mass.) RBI double and a sacrifice fly from Ben Prada (Laurel, Md.).

Savard came to the plate with two men on and no outs, and split the gap in right center with a ball that was just over the fielder's head and one-hopped the wall. Zack Tower (Auburn, Mass.) came around to score from second, Tyler Noe (Lynnfield, Mass.) advanced to third and scored on Prada's sac fly.

Tim Fallon (Huntingtown, Md.) replaced Ryan to begin the eighth and recorded the save, recording three strikeouts. The shutout was the first Division I non-conference blank sheet for UMass Lowell since a 1-0 win against Cincinnati on Feb. 28, 2014.

In the second game, the River Hawks were down 4-0 in the ninth, but Sharpe connected on a two-out double to score Oscar Marchena (Miami, Fla.) and Joe Consolmagno (Worcester, Mass.). 

Delaware scored two runs in the first after an error extended in inning, and added single runs in the fourth and seventh behind a home run and sac fly. 

Steve Xirinachs (San Diego, Calif.) allowed one earned run in just over four innings . Kevin Veilleux (Machester, N.H.) stuck out two in 3 2/3 innings of relief.

The River Hawks battle the Blue Hens in the squad's tournament finale, tomorrow at 11 a.m.