River Hawks Blank Boston College, 10-0, on Wednesday Night

LOWELL, Mass. – Another offensive outburst and shutdown pitching led the UMass Lowell River Hawks baseball team (17-23, 7-11 AE) to a 10-0 victory over the Boston College Eagles (16-26, 3-18 ACC) on Wednesday night at LeLacheur Park.

“Obviously, a complete win tonight. I’ve got to tip my cap to our pitchers, they really did a great job all night,” said head coach Ken Harring. “Our offense was very good too, up and down the lineup, 10 hits and a lot of good at-bats. I tell these guys all the time, we’re as good as anybody, and we’ve got a dynamic offense.”

On the mound, freshman Hayden Duke (Mattapoisett, Mass.) made his first career start for the River Hawks and threw 3.0 innings, striking out two and allowed just one hit. Sophomore Brendan Williams (Auburn, N.Y.) recorded the win and improved to 3-1 on the year, throwing 2.0 innings with two strikeouts. Graduate student Henry Funaro (Lowell, Mass.) and senior Matt Draper (Lowell, Mass.) saw time on the bump, each throwing 1.0 inning and recording two strikeouts.

“Hayden Duke was phenomenal tonight. No runs in the three innings in his first collegiate start, that was great for him,” added Harring.

Sophomore Fritz Genther (Kingston, N.Y.) had another big night at the plate with two home runs and four RBIs. Freshman Brandon Fish (Londonderry, N.H.) recorded two hits, including his fourth home run of the season. Junior Cedric Rose (Pittsfield, Mass.) added two hits and two runs while freshman Jacob Humphrey (Standish, ME.) had two hits and two stolen bases.

After a scoreless first inning, Duke ended the top of the second with a big strikeout with two runners on. The River Hawks opened the scoring in the bottom half of the inning when Fritz Genther drilled a three-run shot to right field to put the hosts ahead. A wild pitch scored sophomore Roddy Hernandez (Jersey City, N.J.) to push the lead to 4-0 after two. With the bases loaded in the top of the third, Duke recorded another strikeout and forced a flyout to end the inning and keep the Eagles off the board.

An RBI single from freshman Alex Luccini (Hopedale, Mass.) brought in Cedric Rose to push the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third. Jacob Humphrey singled to left field to bring in freshman Jake Fitzgibbons (Franklin, Mass.) to stretch the lead to 6-0 after three. Duke finished the game with two strikeouts and allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings.

Brendan Williams took over in the fourth inning and threw another scoreless inning for UMass Lowell. Genther made a great diving grab for the second out before Williams sat Stalman to end the inning and keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. Genther hit his second home run of the day with a solo shot in the fifth to stretch the lead to 7-0.

Senior Sal Fusco (Colonie, N.Y.) entered the game in the sixth and retired the side in order with one strikeout. Brandon Fish drilled a three-run shot to right field to extend the UMass Lowell lead to 10-0 through six. Henry Funaro came in for the seventh inning and struck out two in another scoreless inning. Graduate student Ryan Towle (Westfield, Mass.) replaced Funaro in the eighth and threw a scoreless inning. The pitching core continued to dominate as Matt Draper closed the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts.

The River Hawks return to LeLacheur Park for a weekend series against conference foe UAlbany. Game one is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29.