WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – After a 30-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th inning, the UMass Lowell baseball team scored four times to knock off Hartford, 5-3, in the series opener on Friday.
 
Cam Climo (Billerica, Mass.) capped the decisive inning with his second home run of the day, sending the 2-2 offering over the fence to left center, plating Oscar Marchena (Miami, Fla.). Marchena stood at second as his two-run double broke the 1-1 deadlock and scored Joey Castellanos (Nutley, N.J.) and Steven Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) putting the River Hawks (7-9, 12-31) in front for good.
 
"What an awesome win for the guys," commented Head Coach Ken Harring. "Nick Rand and Joshua Becker were both phenomenal out there on the mound. After Hartford tied it, Becker's two punch outs ignited our guys and they were ready to go during the delay. Oscar delivered that huge double and for Climo to get going with two home runs was great to see. It's a huge win as we go for the series win tomorrow."
 
After Climo's solo shot in the fourth, the visitors held the lead until the bottom of the ninth when Ashton Bardzell's one-out single drew the Hawks (14-28, 7-9) even to force extras. John Thrasher added a two-run homer in the 10th to cut the gap to 5-3.
 
Nick Rand (Hyde Park, N.Y.) limited Hartford to one hit thru 8.1 innings, and Ciaran Devenney (Manalapan, N.J.) threw out all three runners that attempted to steal on the day. With the bases loaded in the ninth, Joshua Becker (Burlington, Mass.) recorded strike outs for the final two outs got through the 10th to pick up the win.
 
Both teams placed runners on in the first two innings, but could not capitalize until Climo sent the first pitch of the fourth inning over the wall in left.
 
Tomorrow afternoon's doubleheader will conclude the three-game set for the teams, first pitch is set for noon.