Metelski Goes the Distance

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River Hawks Pick Up Twin Bill Split against Fordham

LOWELL, Mass. – Connor Metelski (Wall Township, N.J.) recorded his first career complete game and Cam Climo (Billerica, Mass.) recorded three RBI as the UMass Lowell baseball team picked up a split in Saturday’s non-conference doubleheader against Fordham.

The River Hawks (10-30) earned an 8-2 victory in game two, behind Metelski’s seven-inning performance, after Fordham (26-19) took the opener 9-2. Climo had a pair of run-scoring doubles in the victory, while Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) recorded his 31st career home run to move into a tie for second all-time in the loss.

“Game one was tough and a bit sloppy in the outfield and they capitalized with a bunch of hits,” noted Head Coach Ken Harring. “We didn’t walk a lot of guys but they just got hits when they needed them. The guys that they threw at us were really good, but Kyle Maurice swung the bat really well. In game two, we went behind but came back with some really good at-bats and Connor Metelski pitched great picking up the complete game. We’re going to need more efforts like that to close out the season, I’m really proud of the way we bounced back and now have a chance to win a series tomorrow.”

Game 1
Fordham took a 3-0 lead with all three runs in the second inning before Trip McCaffey (Mullica Hill, N.J.) drew a walk with the bases loaded to cut into the deficit.

Trailing 5-1, Passatempo sent his solo shot over the wall in right to bring the hosts back within three runs in the fifth inning.

The Rams answered with runs in the sixth and seventh to pull away for the 9-2 final. Both staffs combined for 21 strikeouts, while Kyle Maurice (Exeter, N.H.) paced UMass Lowell with three hits.

Game 2
UMass Lowell scored eight straight runs to pull away and take the finale of the doubleheader after the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the second.

Robert Gallagher’s (Mullica Hill, N.J.) second-inning bloop single brought the River Hawks even, and Climo’s first double gave the hosts their first lead in the third. Joey Castellanos (Nutley, N.J.) extended the lead to 4-1 with his two-RBI single to cap the three-run third frame.

The River Hawks added four runs to break open the contest in the fourth, sparked by a wild pitch that scored Gerry Siracusa (). Andrew Roden (Sherill, N.Y.) drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and Climo capped the outburst with a two-run double to left.

Metelski scattered five hits in the win, including a pair of perfect innings, and only allowed single runs in the second and seventh innings.

The teams wrap up the series tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.