Big Day from Cal Chance Gives UML a 4-3 Win Over Dartmouth

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On what turned out to be a gray, miserable day at LeLacheur Park, a competitive baseball game unfolded between the Dartmouth Big Green and the UMass Lowell River Hawks. Defense, which has at times been a struggle for the River Hawks, proved to be a strength on Tuesday afternoon. Freshman Cal Chance, originally brought to UMass Lowell as a catcher, has transitioned into a reliable outfielder. During the 4-3 victory, Chance threw out two runners at the plate before breaking a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with a single to left that scored Brayden Cali for the game-winning run.

Head coach Nick Barresse found out a bit more about his team as they navigated tough conditions to secure the win. The afternoon featured defensive adjustments in the outfield that paid immediate dividends, alongside strong performances from seldom-used pitchers. At the top of that list was starter Evan Cornelius. Although he did not factor into the decision, his 4.1 innings of four-hit, one-unearned-run baseball were described by Barresse as “really needed.” While his outing wasn’t perfect—allowing the leadoff batter to reach in three of his innings—he limited the damage. The lone run against him scored in the fifth as he began to fatigue, occurring when a comebacker was tossed to the plate, but catcher Nick Solorzano failed to keep his foot on the bag for the force out.

UMass Lowell built an early 3-1 lead aided by sloppy defense from the Big Green, whose two errors in the first inning led to two River Hawks runs. In the third, Solorzano padded the lead by ripping a line-drive home run to left, his fourth of the season, against Dartmouth starter Andrew Lombana. The middle frames belonged to the bullpens, and the Big Green eventually broke through in the seventh against Colin Ducey. A throwing error by Ducey on a bunt attempt and a subsequent walk set the stage for Nico Bañez, who stroked an RBI single to right. With the score 3-2 and two outs, Chris Miller hit a ball through the hole into left field to tie the game, but Chance threw out Bañez at the plate to keep the score knotted at 3-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, the River Hawks reclaimed the lead against Dartmouth reliever Nate Matoush. After a one-out single by Cali and a walk to Zachary Scott, Chance went the other way on a 1-2 pitch, driving a hit to left that scored Cali for the go-ahead run. Frankie DeMaro then emerged from the bullpen to retire the bottom of the Dartmouth order, recording his first save of the season and securing the win for Will Melby Jr., who improved to 3-0.

After the game, Coach Barresse discussed the defensive shifts, noting that Chance is a “tremendous player” and that Cali and Carlos Martinez looked comfortable in their adjusted outfield roles. The River Hawks will look to carry this momentum back into conference play on Thursday when they travel to take on UAlbany.