LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell baseball team (10-16, 4-6 AE) took down the UMBC Retrievers (12-16, 4-6 AE) by a score of 2-1 in a Friday night thriller at LeLacheur Park.

Freshman LJ Keevan (Holden, Mass.) got the start for the River Hawks and once again had a stellar performance on the mound. The rookie went 7.0 innings, striking out six batters and allowing just one earned run. Sophomore Michael Quigley (Halifax, Mass.) came in relief of Keevan, throwing 1.0 inning and striking out one, earning the win. Senior Joshua Becker (Burlington, Mass.) earned the save, coming into the game in the ninth inning and striking out three of four batters to secure the win for UMass Lowell.
 
"He [LJ Keevan] is just a really good competitor and makes it really hard for hitters," said head coach Ken Harring. "We played good defense behind him with some big double plays. We brought [Michael] Quigley in and his stuff is just electric. And then [Joshua] Becker comes in and does his thing."
 
Freshman Jacob Humphrey (Standish, ME.) led the team with two hits and one RBI on the night. Senior Gerry Siracusa (Kinnelon, N.J.) tallied an RBI and one hit in four appearances at the plate. Five other River Hawks recorded a hit in the win.
 
"That eighth inning, [Fritz] Genther to get it going and the bunt from [Jake] Fitzgibbons, and then [Jacob] Humphrey to stay in that at-bat was huge for us. For a freshman to come up big in a situation like that is phenomenal."
 
Friday night's game was an electric pitching duel between LJ Keevan and UMBC's Luke Johnson. Both pitchers were in command every inning on the mound. Through five innings, Keevan had struck out six batters while Johnson had sat six by the seventh inning. The River Hawks defense was strong behind Keevan, with two double plays to get the hosts back on the offensive side of the ball.
 
The visitors broke the deadlock in the top of the eighth inning after a leadoff double. Quigley entered the game for Keevan and found himself in a bases loaded situation with just one out. A walk brought in one run to give the Retrievers a 1-0 lead. Quigley then struck out UMBC's Krueger and forced a ground out to end the inning.
 
UMass Lowell needed an answer quickly as the game was winding down. Sophomore Fritz Genther (Kingston, N.Y.) hit a leadoff single to right center to start the comeback. Freshman Jake Fitzgibbons' (Franklin, Mass.) sacrifice bunt moved Genther to second as Humphrey stepped up to the plate. With a full count, the freshman hit a single to the right side and Genther came in to score, tying the game.
 
Senior Robert Gallagher (Mullica Hill, N.J.) was hit by a pitch, moving Humphrey into scoring position. The rookie then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Gerry Siracusa then stepped up to the plate and grounded out to short, bringing in Humphrey and giving the River Hawks a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth.
 
Looking to close the game out, Joshua Becker took the mound for the final inning. The veteran struck out the first two batters he faced in just eight pitches. After an 0-2 single up the middle, Becker was one out away from the save. With a full count, the senior struck out UMBC's Michael Cilio to win a thriller for the River Hawks.
 
"We've been gritty all year long. We lost some games earlier in the year like that, so it was nice to get the win tonight. There are no easy games in this league and today was an example of that. Tonight's win is a good sign for our team."
 
The River Hawks will take on the Retrievers for game two of the weekend series on Saturday, April 9 at LeLacheur Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
 
 
 
Game times are subject to change.