HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – UMass Lowell scored runs in their final five turns with the bat, Sunday, in a come-from-behind, 14-4, win to take three out of four games in their season opening series against Canisius at Ting Park in Holly Springs.

"This was a real good win, taking three of four was a very good way to start the season," according to UMass Lowell Baseball Head Coach Ken Harring.  "There's a lot of work to do, but veterans came through, so did the younger players, we got big hits and good at bats in tough situations.  The pitchers threw strikes and we played solid defense.    It was a good all around win."

With the win UMass Lowell improves to 3-1 on the season, Canisius, a member of the MAAC, drops to 1-3.

It was not as easy as the final score may suggest.  UMass Lowell trailed early.  Down 3-1 the River Hawks scored twice in the fourth inning.  A junior Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J.) double brought the team to within one run and then Martin scored on a passed ball to even the score.  A sacrifice fly again tied the score in the fifth inning after Canisius had retaken a one run lead.

The River Hawks scored three times in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open what had been a 4-4 ballgame.  A single by freshman Garret Roberts (Stratham, N.H.) followed by a double off the bat of junior Kyle Maurice (Exeter, N.H.) and a walk to freshman Jonny Gilbride (Beverly, Mass.) set the table.  A passed ball broke the tie and junior Joey Castellanos (Nutley, N.J.) came up with the biggest hit of the day.  He ripped a two-run single through the right side of the infield to make it 7-4.  The game would never be close again.

Castellanos, who has hit in four straight games, was the only River Hawk with multiple hits in this ball game.  He's gone six-for-16 with four walks.

"He's a hitter," said Harring.  "He turned it around the last month of the season a year ago and he's matured and built on that.  He's a legit number three hitter in the lineup."

The River Hawks blew the game wide open with five runs in the seventh inning.  A bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly brought the first two men across the plate and then freshman Keagan Calero (Rochester, N.H.) put an exclamation point on the day with a three-run home run down the left field line.  Harring described it as "a laser beam down the line in left, he turned on a fastball and you knew it was gone,"12-4.

Calero's a freshman, but he appears to be a key piece of this lineup.

"He has extreme awareness," according to Harring.  "He's a field general and he's know this game, knows the strike zone, is a good two-strike hitter.  He'll hit the ball from pole to pole and with power."

Freshman Max Walker (Milton, Mass.) got in on the fun as well.  He hit a two-run homer off the scoreboard in left center coming off the bench in a pinch hitting role to up the margin to ten, 14-4.  A terrific way to make your college debut.  Walker had looked awkward on the previous pitch, a curve ball.  When the Canisius pitcher came back with another curve Walker wasn't fooled.

The UMass Lowell lineup produced just eight hits, but five were for extra bases including the two home runs.  Hitters also showed the renewed emphasis on plate discipline as they worked Canisius pitchers for nine walks.  Three batters were also hit by a pitch.  Situational hitting also produced three sac flies.

Sophomore right hander Sal Fusco (Colonie, N.Y.) cruised through the first three innings before running out of gas and allowing four runs in the fourth inning.  On the day Fusco struck out nine of the twenty batters he faced including seven in the first three frames.  He walked five and did surrender a pair of home runs.

"He had electric stuff," said Harring.  "He got a little rattled after giving up the home runs in the fourth."

Sophomore Gerry Siracusa (Kinnelon, N.J.) pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win.  Siracusa struck out three, two coming in the seventh inning, protecting a three-run lead, as he worked out of a bases load no-out jam unscathed.

"That's what we needed," according to Harring.  "He came in and calmed the game down and that was key.  He located his fastball very well and he's worked on the shape of his breaking ball giving it more depth.  He's worked so hard, I'm really happy for him."

Freshman left hander Cam Seguin (Woburn, Mass.) pitched a strong eighth inning. He allowed a hit, but struck out two on called third strikes.  It was his second River Hawk appearance and made it clear that he had gotten past the first game jitters he'd seen on Saturday.

Freshman Harry Painter (Essex, Mass.) pitched solid ninth inning.  He walked one and then ended the game with a flyball and a double play grounder to second.

The River Hawk bullpen combined for five innings of three-hit scoreless relief.

The River Hawks return to the Tar Heel State for a three game series next weekend against Elon, a member of the CAA, at Walter C. Latham Park.  The Phoenix are coming off consecutive 30-plus win seasons and swept their opening series against Delaware State.