LOWELL, Mass. – Senior Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J.) hit .625 (5-8) with three runs and a RBI to lead the UMass Lowell baseball team to a Saturday split against UAlbany at LeLacheur Park.
 
The Great Danes (19-20, 17-15 AE) took game one by a score of 7-4, before the River Hawks (16-25, 15-17) secured the nightcap on a walk-off single from the hands of Martin.
 
Sophomore Ryan Proto (Centerville, Mass.) went 3-for-7 on the day with one run, while rookie Jimmy Sullivan (East Hampton, Conn.) logged two hits and a team-best four RBI.
 
The Great Danes plated the first run of the day in the top of the third inning of game one on a RBI double. However, the River Hawks were quick to answer when junior Robert Gallagher (Mullica Hill, N.J.) led off with a double shot to left followed by a Keagan Calero (Rochester, N.H.) single to bring him over the plate and knot the score. Adding on one more to their tally, UMass Lowell would take the lead following a sacrifice fly to right off the bat of redshirt-senior Cam Climo (Billerica, Mass.), sending in Calero for the 2-1 advantage.
 
Responding in their next trip, UAlbany pulled in front in the fourth following an RBI triple into right. The Great Danes would double their advantage in the next inning on their first long ball of the day to put them on top 4-2.
 
Answering in the home half of the fifth, the River Hawks loaded the bases with the help of Calero's second hit of the outing and back-to-back walks from Climo and Sullivan, although the squad were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Heading into the final stretch, the Great Danes would collect on a three-run double in the sixth to put the game out of reach, 7-3.

The River Hawks threatened in their final at-bat, bringing in one final run on the heels of Martin, but UAlbany held on to earn the decision, 7-4.
 
UAlbany kept their momentum going in game two, as the Great Danes jumped out to an early one-run lead off an RBI single in their first trip to the plate. Although, it wouldn't be long before the River Hawks took hold after a two-out single through the left side from Sullivan would drive in both Climo and Martin for the 2-1 advantage.
 
After a quiet second, the Great Danes would even out the score at two, backed by their second homer of the day. However, Lowell would come storming back in the home half of the third. After two quick outs, Sullivan sent a single shot up the middle to collect on his third RBI of the outing to put the River Hawks back on top.
 
From there on out it would be a defensive battle as neither team would collect on their offensive chances through the next five innings. Highlighted by a 4-6-3 double play from Calero Roddy Hernandez (Jersey City, N.J.) and Joey Castellanos (Nutley, N.J.) to finish out the top of the sixth.
 
The Great Danes would take another crack at evening the score in the eighth, securing the 3-3 equalizer on their third dinger of the day. However, the River Hawk rally would come in the bottom of the ninth as Martin secured the 4-3 Lowell victory with a two-out walk-off RBI single up the middle, pushing Proto across home plate. 
 
The two squads will go head-to-head tomorrow afternoon to close out the series. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.