UMass Lowell and Binghamton Split Twin Bill Ahead of America East Tournament

Read Time:4 Minute, 29 Second

On a gray, drizzly Friday afternoon at LeLacheur Park, the Binghamton Bearcats (27-20, 16-7) and the UMass Lowell River Hawks (20-28, 10-13) fought to a symmetrical stalemate, splitting a regular-season doubleheader by identical 8–4 scores.

In terms of the conference standings, the games had zero impact on the landscape. Both clubs have already locked up their respective positions in the America East Baseball Tournament, which is set to begin next Wednesday on Binghamton’s home turf. As River Hawks head coach Nick Barese noted after the final whistle, this final weekend is entirely about positioning and tuning up the pitching staff for the grueling postseason grind ahead. If UMass Lowell hopes to make a deep championship run, they will need every available arm fresh and ready.

Game 1: Symmetrical Meltdown Costs River Hawks Late

Final Score: Binghamton 8, UMass Lowell 4

Game one served as a textbook example of tournament-prep management. Frankie DeMaro earned the start for the River Hawks and turned in his longest outing of the season. DeMaro commanded the zone early, spinning 5.0 innings while allowing 7 hits, 3 earned runs, and 2 walks against a lone strikeout.

He appeared to be in cruise control, carrying a comfortable 4–1 lead into the sixth inning. That early advantage was powered by shortstop Zackary Scott, who launched his first career collegiate home run—a towering three-run blast over the right-field wall in the second inning to wipe away an early 1–0 Bearcats lead.

However, things unraveled quickly in the top of the sixth inning of the seven-inning contest:

DeMaro began losing his command, prompting Barese to turn to the bullpen.
Relievers Jake LeFrancois (3-2), who took the loss, and Will Melby Jr. struggled mightily to find the strike zone, combining for 6 walks and 2 hits in a chaotic frame.
By the time the dust settled, the Bearcats had hung a crooked number, exploding for 7 runs to flip a 4–1 deficit into an 8–4 victory.

Binghamton reliever Brady Bouchard (2-3) reaped the benefits of the late explosion, picking up the win with 2.0 innings of one-hit, two-strikeout relief after taking over for starter Connor Griffin.

“I am not worried about LeFrancois,” Coach Barese emphasized postgame. “He has been our most reliable pitcher all season.”

Game 2: Youthful Arms and DeLanzo’s Blast Secure the Split

Final Score: UMass Lowell 8, Binghamton 4

The nightcap saw UMass Lowell’s younger arms step up to steady the ship. After starter Brian Foley logged 3.0 innings (allowing 6 hits and 3 earned runs), Tyler Dunlea (2-1) and Colin Duncie teamed up to completely shut down the Bearcats.

The duo provided 5.0 innings of stellar, one-hit, one-earned-run baseball. Dunlea was electric, at one point striking out five consecutive Binghamton hitters. Though he flirted with disaster by walking the bases loaded in his final inning of work, Duncie came on to record the final outs and secure his first save of the season.

The Offensive Flow

The River Hawks’ bats came alive in the middle frames to provide plenty of run support:

3rd Inning: Back-to-back RBI singles from Brayden Cali and Cal Chance put UMass Lowell on the board with an early 2–0 lead.
4th Inning (Top): Binghamton answered with a three-run frame against Foley. Tim Nenning (2-for-4, 3 RBI) ripped a two-run single off the glove of UML first baseman Sean O’Leary, followed by a Braylen Gonzalez RBI single to left-center, putting the Bearcats up 3–2.
4th Inning (Bottom): UML immediately responded against Binghamton reliever Vincent Luther (2-1), who had replaced starter Mason Holloway. With the bases loaded, Zackary Scott delivered yet again, lacing a go-ahead, two-run single to put the River Hawks back on top 4–3.
5th Inning: UML broke the game open against Hayden Tarsia. Third baseman Joseph DeLanzo crushed a fastball deep over the right-field wall for a three-run blast—his first home run as a River Hawk. DeLanzo turned in a perfect 3-for-3 game with 3 RBI and a run scored, with his homer standing as the definitive game-winner.

Doubleheader Box Score Summary

Game	Winning Pitcher	Losing Pitcher	Save	Key Offensive Star
Game 1 (BU 8, UML 4)	Brady Bouchard (2-3)	Jake LeFrancois (3-2)	None	Zackary Scott: 3-Run HR (First Career)
Game 2 (UML 8, BU 4)	Tyler Dunlea (2-1)	Vincent Luther (2-1)	Colin Duncie (1)	Joseph DeLanzo: 3-for-3, 3-Run HR, 3 RBI

Looking Ahead

As the River Hawks’ coaching staff reminded the club between games, “Doubleheaders are never easy.” Nevertheless, UMass Lowell heads into the final day of the regular season with plenty of reasons for optimism, highlighted by gritty situational at-bats and promising depth from the younger tier of the pitching staff. Scott finished the twin bill with a highly productive day at the plate, logging 3 hits, 5 RBI, and a run scored.

The regular-season finale is scheduled for Saturday at 3:00 PM. Ace Alfred Mucciarone will take the hill for the River Hawks, though he is expected to throw a heavily abbreviated outing to ensure he is fully rested for next week’s tournament opener.