LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore River Hart (Nashua, N.H.) totaled one hit and one run, as the UMass Lowell baseball team (14-26) fell to the Binghamton Bearcats (20-17), 8-1, on Friday night.
"Outstanding effort by Mucciarone," said Head Coach Nick Barese. "We couldn't really get any momentum offensively, and we had some key miscues defensively. We have to regroup quickly and get ready to even up the series."
Sophomore Rowan Masse (Manchester, Ct.) and senior Alex Luccini (Hopedale, Mass.) each tallied one hit at the plate, as well.
Starting on the bump, sophomore Alfred Mucciarone (Franklin, Mass.) went 8.0 innings, fanning five batters on the day.
A scoreless first inning for both teams started things, as the visitors accounted for the lone runner following an error. Mucciarone continued to extinguish any opportunities for the Bearcats, hurling two strikeouts in the second. The home side looked to capitalize, with Hart knocking a single and taking second on a balk. After Masse walked to put runners on the corners, Hart saw his chance to steal home, creating an early, 1-0 lead for the River Hawks.
With two on base for the Bearcats in the third, Mucciarone stayed strong, retiring the next three to bring the River Hawks back to the dish. Then in the fourth, Mucciarone pitched a 1-2-3 inning, while collecting his fourth strikeout. A single from Luccini placed a runner on for the River Hawks in the home half of the fourth, but the home team was unable to scratch a run across.
During the fifth, the visitors saw their chance, stroking a two-run home run to pull in front, 2-1. Both sides then went three-up and three-down in the sixth. In the visitors' half of the seventh, the Bearcats built on their lead, adding one run to make it a 3-1 difference.
Mucciarone stepped out in the eighth, taking charge and allowing no hits or runs, giving the River Hawks hope for a late rally. Looking to even the score, the River Hawks posted a single and a fielder's choice, but were not able to get on the board.
In the top of the ninth, the Bearcats heated up, capitalizing on three hits, as the visitors extended its lead, soon finalizing the 8-1 result.
The River Hawks are back tomorrow, April 26, for game two of the weekend series against the Binghamton Bearcats in Lowell, Mass. The first pitch is scheduled at 5 p.m. at Edward A. LeLacheur Park.
