Game 1 Box (PDF) | Game 2 Box (PDF) | Harring Interview

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UMass Lowell (10-8, 1-1) baseball team opened up America East play with a doubleheader split against the Binghamton Bearcats (8-4, 1-1) on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats took game one, 1-0, before the River Hawks returned the favor in a 5-2 win in game two.

"Both teams dealt we tough conditions out here all day but I thought we pitched great all day long," commented Head Coach Ken Harring. "Andrew Ryan was a tough luck loser in game one, and we missed some opportunities but we were able to bounce back. We got quality at bats, we grinded and Cam Climo continues to impress in his freshman year and delivers when he's at the plate."
 
The River Hawks cashed in their first run of the day in the fifth inning of game two, as Ben Prada (Laurel, Md.) singled home Cam Climo (Billerica), after the freshman doubled to begin the frame.
 
After Nick Kuzia (Seymour, Conn.) replaced starter Collin Duffley (Manchester, N.H.) and escaped a bases loaded jam in the top of the sixth, UMass Lowell added four runs in the bottom half to push the advantage to 5-0.
 
With the bases loaded, Colby Maiola (North Reading, Mass.) delivered the key hit with a ground rule double to left center that scored Oscar Marchena (Miami, Fla.) and Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.). Climo and John Polichetti (Atkinson, N.H.) each recorded RBI singles in the inning, as well.
 
Marchena led off the frame with a walk, and Passatempo flared a single to right before Austin Young (Millbury, Mass.) reached on an error after putting down a sacrifice bunt.
 
Binghamton rallied in the seventh for two runs, and had the bases loaded but Nick Rand (Hyde Park, N.Y.) was able to seal the win.
 
Duffley picked up his team-leading third victory  of the season, striking out four and didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning.
 
The Bearcats took game one on a solo shot in the top of the eighth off the bat of Luke Tevlin. UMass Lowell had the tying run on second in the ninth but could not extend the game, and Joe Orlando picked up his third win of the year.
 
UMass Lowell had runners in scoring position in the third and sixth innings, including a bases loaded opportunity in the sixth, but could not deliver the big hit.
 
Andrew Ryan (Rochester, Mass.) allowed two hits and struck out four over eight innings, but suffered the loss.
 
The River Hawks return to action with a pair of mid-week games on the road, first traveling to Central Connecticut to take on the Blue Devils on March 28 at 3 p.m.