LOWELL, Mass. – Starting behind the plate, senior Jake Fitzgibbons (Franklin, Mass.) went 3-for-5 including a walk-off single, as the UMass Lowell baseball team (6-12) overcame a two-run deficit to take down the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-11), 8-7, on Wednesday night.
Trailing 7-6 entering the home half of the eighth, the River Hawks looked to rally and pull off the comeback victory. Fitzgibbons got things started for his squad, leading off the inning with a single, before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a pass ball. With two outs, senior Carlos Martinez (Coamo, Puerto Rico) ripped a single into left to knot the score up heading into the ninth. After allowing a leadoff single to open the ninth, junior Brian Foley (Milton, Mass.) settled in, making quick work of the next three batters to give his team a chance to end it. It didn't take long for UMass Lowell to capitalize on the opportunity, as sophomore River Hart (Nashua, N.H.) doubled deep over the center fielder's head. Following another sacrifice bunt, Fitzgibbons drilled a single just past the glove of the diving left fielder, giving his squad the 8-7 victory and sending the bench into celebration.
"Good midweek win against a solid Holy Cross team," said Head Coach Nick Barese. "Our offense continues to have really strong at bats in big situations. Dylan Bedder and Brian Foley did a great job out of the bullpen to keep the game in check and give our hitters a chance."
Senior Alex Luccini (Hopedale, Mass.) tallied two knocks while adding one RBI and two runs, with sophomore Rowan Masse (Manchester, Conn.) going 2-3 during his plate appearances, with one double, two RBI and one run.
Junior Michael Simes (Rutland, Mass.) got his first start of the season, throwing 3.1 innings while logging two strikeouts. Junior Jacob Jette (Franklin, Mass.) and graduate student Kevin Zarnoch Jr. (Boston, Mass.) each went 1.1 innings, both posting three strikeouts on the day. Junior Brian Foley (Milton, Mass.) came in for the ninth for the River Hawks, recording his second win on the season.
Although the Crusaders opened the game with a run in the top of the first, it didn't take long for the River Hawks to respond, as a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases. With only one out, UMass Lowell took advantage of the scoring opportunity with RBI singles from both Luccini and Masse before a hit by pitch sent in another run, giving the hosts a 3-1 lead through one.
In the next two innings, Simes stayed strong on the mound, allowing no hits or runs. In the bottom of the third, the River Hawks built on their lead, as Luccini reached base on a hit by pitch and stole second before getting driven in on an RBI single by Hart. Moments later with runners on the corners, Fitzgibbons added an RBI knock of his own, giving his squad their largest lead of the day, 5-1. The Crusaders answered back though, adding four in the top of the fifth to once again tie the score, this time at 5-5.
Taking the mound in the fifth, Jette brought the heat for the River Hawks, striking out the side to help keep the score the same with four innings to play. In the sixth, the Crusaders' bats found life, loading the bases before sending two home to regain the lead at 7-5. Looking to pull closer, UMass Lowell found life in the bottom of the seventh when Luccini reached first on a single. After a wild pitch allowed the runner to advance to second, Masse stepped up in the clutch, lacing the ball down the left field line to drive Luccini in, cutting the deficit to 7-6 and setting up the game's exciting finish.
Next up, the River Hawks are back at home this Saturday, March 22, for a doubleheader versus the Le Moyne Dolphins. The first game of the afternoon will begin at noon at Edward A. LeLacheur Park.
