Saturday, March 25 vs. Binghamton (11 a.m.)
Live Stats
RHP Andrew Ryan (2-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. TBD

Saturday, March 25 vs. Binghamton (2 p.m.)
Live Stats
RHP Collin Duffley (2-1, 2.59 ERA) vs. TBD
Twitter: @RiverHawkBB @RiverHawkNation

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell baseball team will begin America East play this weekend in an abbreviated series, taking on the Binghamton Bearcats in a doubleheader on Saturday, in West Hartford, Conn. 

River Hawk Rewind
The River Hawks had their five-game winning streak snapped on March 18 in a 6-3 loss to No. 19 St. John's, following wins against William & Mary (13-6) and Towson (10-8). In the three games, both Colby Maiola (North Reading, Mass.) and Austin Young (Millbury, Mass.) had six hits and scored five runs, while John Polichetti (Atkinson, N.H.) recorded six RBI. Michael Young (Chester, N.J.) drove in six, as well, and picked up five hits including his first career home run, while scoring five times. In the 13-6 win at William & Mary, UMass Lowell scored 10 runs with two outs, and the bottom third of the order combined for 10 RBI, six hits and six runs. 

Leading the Flock
Sharpe paces the UMass Lowell offense with a .391 average, 27 hits, 22 runs, six long balls and 61 total bases. The sophomore has also doubled 10 times and has three triples with a .884 slugging percentage, while Maiola leads the team with 16 RBI. The trio of Austin Young, Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) and Maiola have combined for 56 hits, 36 RBI, 37 runs and five home runs, as well.  On the hill Collin Duffley (Manchester, N.H.) and Andrew Ryan (Rochester, Mass.) each have two wins, while Nick Rand (Hyde Park, N.Y.) has a team-high four saves. Duffley leads the staff with 30 strikeouts and a 2.59 ERA. As a team, the River Hawks are batting .266 and the staff is posting a 5.03 ERA.

Scouting Binghamton
The Bearcats (7-3) have won seven straight, but due to weather have not played since their four-game sweep of then No. 19 Virginia Tech from March 3-5. Justin Yurchak leads the country with a .545 batting average with 24 hits, while Darlan Herncane has connected on two of Binghamton's six homers. Paul Rufo has driven in eight runs, while CJ Krowiak has scored 12 times. On the mound, Joe Orlando has not allowed a run in 11 innings and is posting a 2-0 record with 12 strikeouts. Three pitchers sit atop the staff with 14 Ks apiece. As a team, the Bearcats are batting .308 and have a staff ERA of 4.05.

Series History
The River Hawks own a 9-5 all-time record against Binghamton, but both teams have split the 10 decisions since UMass Lowell joined the America East. Two of UMass Lowell's five conference wins last season came against the Bearcats.

Bullpen Magic
In the River Hawk's five-game winning steak, the bullpen allowed seven runs, five earned, in 19.1 innings with pitchers combining for 20 strikeouts. 

Sharpest Bat in the Lineup
With his hot start to 2017, Chris Sharpe has hit the fourth most home runs in the country, and ranks third with a .884 slugging percentage. The outfielder has recorded eight multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games.

Power Surge
Through 16 games, this year's offense has connected on 19 home runs and have delivered multiple home runs in five games, including a DI program-high four on February 25 against FDU. Last season, the River Hawks hit 23 homers with four multi-home run games. 

We're Going Streaking!
Current hitting streak - Chris Sharpe and Colby Maiola, 6 games
Current on base streak - John Polichetti, 7 games
Season high hitting streak - Three players, 7 games
Season high on base streak - Steve Passatempo, 13 games

Hangin' 11
The 11 runs against UConn marked the second consecutive season-opening win that the River Hawks crossed the plate 11 times. Last season, UMass Lowell defeated Nicholls State, 11-2, to begin 2016 1-0. It also marks the third time in DI that the River Hawks scored more than 10 runs in their first win of the season (14, vs. Temple, 2014).

Notables
Polichetti was named America East Rookie of the Week for the second straight week (3.21) ... Sharpe and Polichetti were named the America East Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively (3.14) ... Austin Young became the fifth River Hawk to be named AE Rookie of the Week (2.28) ... Olive earned River Hawk of the Week and America East Player of the Week accolades (2.21).