ALBANY, N.Y. -- The UMass Lowell baseball team wrapped up the weekend series with a pair of losses at UAlbany on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field. The River Hawks succumbed to the Great Danes 4-1 in game one, before narrowly dropping the second 11-10.
 
UMass Lowell moves to 7-11 in America East and 8-19 overall, while UAlbany improves to 12-13 overall and 10-8 in league action.
 
After a low scoring output in game one, the River Hawks bats came alive in the night cap with a five-run fourth inning to bring them back, tacked on by five more tallies across the eighth and ninth innings to tie it up once more.
 
"Overall, it was a tough weekend," commented Assistant Coach Brad Cook. "We worked extremely hard all week and to come away with a win is obviously a bit disappointing. With that being said, I'm very proud of the way we scratched and clawed to get back into the game, not just once, but twice. The men never lost faith and continued to compete."
 
Junior Gerry Siracusa (Kinnelon, N.J.) went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the River Hawks in game two. Six other River Hawks added hits on the day, including sophomore Ryan Proto (Centerville, Mass.) who knocked in his first home run of the season, and sophomore Cedric Rose (Pittsfield, Mass.), who tallied an RBI. Sophomore Joshua Becker went five innings on the mound in game one, registering five strikeouts, while junior Sal Fusco (Colonie, N.Y.) recorded the decision in the second.  
 
The Great Danes grabbed an early lead scoring three runs in the first two innings. Redshirt-senior Cam Climo (Billerica, Mass.) scored the visitors only run in game one, tagging home on a passed ball after reaching base on a triple to left. UAlbany would add one more run in the home half of the fifth to see out the 4-1 result.
 
In game two, the Great Danes opened the scoring early again, jumping out on a five-run advantage through the first three stanzas. However, the River Hawks stormed back with a major five-run inning of their own, backed by Proto's three run homerun, to even the edge 5-5. Fighting back, the hosts would add a run in the bottom of the fourth, followed by four more in the seventh to push their advantage to 10-5.
 
Although, the River Hawks threatened once again, scoring twice in the eighth off a Proto sac fly and a double from rookie pinch-hitter Jimmy Sullivan (East Hampton, Conn.). Back-to-back River Hawk base hits from Siracusa and Rose in the top of the ninth brought them back within one, making the tally 10-9. Sophomore Jonny Gilbride (Beverly, Mass.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded forcing in the tying run. Digging deep in the ninth, UAlbany would load the bases with one out, drawing a walk to seal the deal, 11-10.
 
The River Hawks are back at home next weekend, April 24-25, to host Maine for a four-game series at LeLacheur Park. First pitch for game one of both doubleheaders is set for 12 p.m.