HANOVER, N.H. – Freshman Brayden Cali (Taunton, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and two runs, as the UMass Lowell baseball team (10-16) fell to the Dartmouth Big Green (3-14), 11-5, on Tuesday afternoon.
"We have struggled to play well during midweeks and have to set ourselves up to be more prepared," said Head Coach Nick Barese. "Conference game or not, we want to win every time we step on the field. We have to play cleaner, better baseball between weekends."
Sophomore River Hart (Nashua, N.H.) drilled a solo shot and scored two runs on the day, while senior Brandon Fish (Londonderry, N.H.) tallied two hits and an RBI.
Freshman Nolan Geisler (Bayonne, N.J.) earned the start for the River Hawks, tossing six strikeouts over 4.0 innings pitched. Freshman Jake LeFrancois (Worcester, Mass.) went 1.2 innings while striking out two batters.
The Big Green started the scoring in the first, reaching home on a fielder's choice before Geisler tossed back-to-back strikeouts to close the first. Looking to even the score, Fish ripped a single, followed by a first-pitch single to left off the bat of junior Carlos Martinez (Coamo, Puerto Rico). Although a walk loaded the base for the River Hawks, they were unable to capitalize, keeping the score the same before the hosts added two more in the home half of the frame, making it a 3-0 ballgame.
Leading off the fourth for the River Hawks, Hart sent the first pitch high over the left field wall for his team's first run of the day. Two batters later, Cali stepped to the plate stroking a single to shortstop, stealing second only moments later to get in scoring position. After a walk and a base hit loaded the bases for the visitors, Fish ripped a single down the left field line to make it a one-run difference, 3-2. However, the Big Green added one more run when they went to the plate, regaining a two-run lead.
Looking to respond, the River Hawks drew a pair of walks to kickstart the fifth. With one out and two on, Cali was next smacked a double to left field, earning his second RBI of the day. Next to the plate, senior Conor Kelly (Hopkinton, Mass.) singled to right center, scoring two more runs and giving UMass Lowell the lead for the first time all day, 5-4.
Dartmouth responded in the sixth frame, tying the game with a RBI single. With momentum on their side, the Big Green added six runs in the bottom half of the seventh for the largest lead of the day, 11-5. Looking to keep the score the same, LeFrancois had a strong showing on the mound in the eighth, collecting two strikeouts to send his team to the plate one last time. In the ninth, the River Hawks used a single and a walk to put two runners on, but were unable to send anyone home, sealing the 11-5 final.
The River Hawks are back in action tomorrow, April 2, for an afternoon game at Stonehill. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Lou Gorman Field.
