BALTIMORE, Md. – Senior Alex Luccini (Hopedale, Mass.) posted another successful day at the plate, going 4-for-8 with a double, triple, two RBI and two runs, as the UMass Lowell baseball team (5-12) fell in a close match against UMBC in the first game of the doubleheader, 9-8, before responding with a 4-3 win in the nightcap to close out the series.
"Really gutsy win in game two after a tough, tough loss," mentioned Head Coach Nick Barese. "We are satisfied with how the series went, and have a lot to clean up, but we're looking forward to getting back to LeLacheur, and getting back to winning baseball."
Sophomore Rowan Masse (Manchester, Conn.) hit .500 in eight plate appearances, including a double and three RBI, while junior Carlos Martinez (Coamo, Puerto Rico) added three knocks, two runs and one RBI.
Starting in game one, redshirt-sophomore Nick Dirito (Plymouth, Mass.) tossed 5.1 innings with one strikeout. Redshirt-junior Brendan Holland (North Andover, Mass.) got the start on the bump in the second game, going six innings with seven strikeouts to earn his second win on the season. Junior Brian Foley (Milton, Mass.) entered the second game for one inning, collecting a punchout on the way to his first save of the season.
The River Hawks got the bats going early, using a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases with only one out in the first. Stepping to the plate, Luccini stroked a single to the right side, sending two home for the early lead. Next up, Masse sent a first-pitch double to left field, pushing the UMass Lowell lead to 4-0 after one. In the bottom of the frame, Dirito worked his way out of a bases loaded jam, and then quickly followed with a strong second inning, keeping the four-score difference through two.
In the bottom of the third, the hosts recorded their first score of the game to cut the deficit to three. The River Hawks however, quickly retaliated, adding three of their own in the top of the fourth. Senior Spencer Aubin (Dover, N.H.) got the scoring started when he sent a sac fly into right field, and junior Zachary Scott (Lunenburg, Mass.) followed with a single up the middle, making it a 6-1 score. Moments later, after Scott stole second, an error by the Retrievers allowed the junior to make it home, extending the team's lead to 7-1 through four.
In the home half of the fifth inning, UMBC began to find their rhythm at the plate, driving in one to make it a five-run difference. Although UMass Lowell nearly added another run in the top of the sixth, the Retrievers were able to get a crucial out at home before adding three in the bottom of the frame, cutting the River Hawks' lead to 7-5.
Looking to get his squad back on the board, junior Joseph DeLanzo (Nutley, N.J.) capitalized on having a runner at third, sending a deep flyout to center, giving Luccini time to tag up and race home, giving the visitors a three-run buffer. However, during their next plate appearance, the Retrievers countered with three runs, knotting the game up with two innings remaining. The River Hawks continued to battle in the final innings, but the score remained the same until UMBC used a double with a runner on in the bottom of the ninth to seal the 9-8 decision in game one.
Looking to avenge the game one loss, the River Hawks went straight to work to open game two, as senior Conor Kelly (Hopkinton, Mass.) and sophomore Scott Donahue (Medfield, Mass.) ripped singles up the middle to put runners on the corners. Fourth to the plate, Martinez joined in on the action, sending the ball into center for a RBI single. The singles kept coming, as Luccini added one of his own to load the bases, setting up Masse who came out on top in a nine-pitch battle, smoking a single to left, driving in two and putting the visitors on top, 3-0. In the bottom of the frame, UMBC followed with a score of their own, making it a two-run difference after one.
Over the next three innings, Holland dominated, allowing only two base runners while totaling four punchouts to bring his total on the day to six. Although the score remained the same as the game entered the fifth, the Retrievers found life on offense in the bottom of the inning, using a two-run homer to even the score up at 3-3. With the bats starting to heat up in the sixth, Masse reached on a two-out single to right center and DeLanzo reached first on a walk, but the River Hawks were unable to take advantage.
Looking to build off the previous inning, UMass Lowell started the seventh strong with a leadoff single down the right side by senior Jake Fitzgibbons (Franklin, Mass.). After Scott advanced the senior to second, a single by Kelly moved Fitzgibbons up to third, leading to Donahue driving him in, putting the River Hawks back in front, 4-3. Foley stepped to the mound in the seventh inning, striking out one before inducing a 6-4-3 double play to give the River Hawks their first win of conference play, 4-3, in seven innings.
Next up, the River Hawks will return to Lowell for their home opener, this Wednesday, March 19, when they host Holy Cross. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Edward A. LeLacheur Park.
