Game 1 (PDF) | Game 2 (PDF) | Highlights | Postgame Interview

LOWELL, Mass. – Chris Sharpe (Burlington, Mass.) picked up five RBI as the UMass Lowell baseball team (19-14) split a non-conference doubleheader split against the Brown Bears (11-18) Tuesday at LeLacheur Park.
 
The teams' offense combined for 15 runs in the first game, as Brown escaped with an 8-7 victory. In the nightcap, the hosts silenced the visitors, securing a 3-0 win.

"In game one walks were an issue, and it's tough to win a ballgame when you walk 10 guys, but we grinded and we got opportunities and made it a game," commented Head Coach Ken Harring. "We had chances to win, but just couldn't get the hit we needed. In game two, Metelski came out and set the tone early, and he's been really impressive in his starts. It was good seeing Chris Sharpe back swinging the bats as well as we know he can."
 
In the River Hawks' game two win, they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on an Oscar Marchena (Miami, Fla.) RBI groundout, scoring Ted Leathersich (Beverly, Mass.) for his first career run.

The freshman led off the inning with an infield single and moved to third on an error by the second baseman on a double play ball.
 
Conno Metelski (Wall Township, N.J.) cruised through the Bears' lineup, striking out five in five innings, scattering three hits and three walks to pick up his second consecutive win.
 
Chris Sharpe (Burlington, Mass.) added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth with a double that hugged the left field line, scoring Ben Prada (Laurel, Md.) and Leathersich.
 
Brown loaded the bases in the top of the sixth, but Nick Rand (Hyde Park, N.Y.) came in for the final five outs for the save.
 
In the game one slugfest, the teams combined for nine runs after the first two innings, as the visitors held a 5-4 advantage after putting up a four spot in the top of the second. The first batters in the frame reached to get Brown within 4-3, with the two final runs coming by way of sacrifice flies to put the Bears in front.
 
After Brown took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, Sharpe sent his seventh home run of the season over the wall in left to score Prada and Marchena, who reached on a single and hit-by-pitch, respectively, putting the River Hawks on top 3-1. Colby Maiola (North Reading, Mass.) singled and scored on Cam Climo's (Billerica, Mass.) single to left, extending the lead to 4-1.
 
UMass Lowell took control of game one with a three-run fourth to take its second lead of the ballgame at 7-5. Michael Young (Chester, N.J.) walked to lead off the frame, and advanced to third on a Prada single before Marchena knotted the game with a single to right. Two batters later, Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) connected on a two-run shot off the foul pole in left to cap off the inning.
 
The Bears came back to tie the game at 7-7 in the top of the fifth on three hits, two of them scoring runs after the first two outs of the frame. Brown scored its third straight run with a RBI double in the top of the seventh.
 
UMass Lowell was able to get the tying run to third base with one out, but could not extend the game.
 
Sam Grigo and Josh Huntley each drove in two runs for the Bears in the opening game.
 
The River Hawks head back out on the road for an America East series at UMBC over the weekend, with a doubleheader on April 21 and a single game set for the 22.