LOWELL, Mass. – Senior Jake Fitzgibbons (Franklin, Mass.) posted one hit and an RBI, as the UMass Lowell baseball team dropped game three against Bryant (11-14-1), 9-2, on Saturday afternoon.
"Tough end to what was a good series win," said Head Coach Nick Barese. "We need to be better in uncomfortable situations like that. On a cold, wet day, you have to find ways to execute in less than ideal conditions."
Senior Conor Kelly (Hopkinton, Mass.) added a double and an RBI, while sophomore Rowan Masse (Manchester, Mass.) recorded one hit and one run.
Graduate student Miles Cota (Hampstead, N.C.) got the start on the mound today, throwing 1.2 innings, while fanning one batter. Graduate student Kevin Zarnoch Jr. (Boston, Mass.) pitched 4.1 innings, striking out five batters. Freshman Jake LeFrancois (Worcester, Mass.) and junior Brian Foley (Milton, Mass.) both tossed 1.0 inning, each adding two strikeouts.
The Bulldogs jumped in front early, plating two unearned runs in the top of the first. The visitors then extended the margin with four runs in the second with the help of a base-clearing double to left field, making it 6-0.
In the home half of the inning, senior Carlos Martinez (Coamo, Puerto Rico) sparked the River Hawk offense with a single past the shortstop. He advanced to second on a throwing error and took third on a groundout, but the home side was unable to scratch the run across.
Zarnoch made quick work of the opposition in the next three innings. The River Hawks put two on base from a single and a walk in the bottom of the fourth, but the score remained unchanged.
Two singles in the visitors' half of the sixth accounted for three more Bulldog runs. Lefrancois made his first appearance during the seventh frame, striking out two batters to bring the River Hawks back to the plate. Masse led off with a one-bagger through the infield before Fitzgibbons cracked an RBI single to get his side on the board.
After closing the top half defensively on a double play, the River Hawks had one final chance at the dish, adding another run off a double to left center by Kelly, but the Bulldogs held on to take the 9-2 outcome.
The River Hawks return to action Tuesday, April 1, when they travel to Dartmouth for a 3 p.m. ball game at Red Rolfe Field.
