ORONO, Maine - After dropping two of three games to UMass Lowell earlier in the season, the Black Bears hosted the River Hawks for a double header on Friday afternoon, as the Black Bears took game one by the score of 7-5, and walked off in the bottom of the seventh in game two to win 5-4. The Black Bears are now 6-10 in conference play while UML falls to 10-12.

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The Black Bears took the lead early in game one, as the first pitch of the game to Maine's lead-off hitter Jeremy Pena was sent over the left field hedges, hitting the scoreboard for a homerun. Maine led 1-0 after one inning of play. Maine would add on to that lead in the second as Caleb Kerbs would hit an RBI single, as a throwing error would allow Hernen Sardinas and Jonathan Bennet to score, making it 3-0 Maine after two innings of play.

UMass Lowell would answer back in the third inning with an RBI double to right field, and would take the lead on a big four-run top of the sixth, to lead Maine 5-3. Maine would get one back in the bottom of the sixth though, as Cody Pasic grounded out on a sacrifice bunt to score Brandon Vicens from third, cutting the UML lead to one run.

In the seventh inning, Maine retook the lead on a single to left-center by Brandon Vicens, which would score Tyler Schwanz and Chris Bec, giving Maine a 6-5 lead. Cody Pasic would add to the lead, drawing a walk with the bases loaded, giving him an RBI as Brandon Vicens came home, to give Maine a final score of 7-5.

Jeff Gelinas would come into the game in the top of the ninth, and got all three outs on strikeouts to end the game with his sixth save of the season. Connor Johnson came into the game in relief and ended up getting his third win of the season, his record now at 3-3. He went 3.0 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out two. 

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Game two started in similar fashion; no score, bottom of the first inning, Jeremy Pena stepping to the plate, and for the second straight game he took the first pitch offered to him and sent it over the scoreboard this time, giving Maine a 1-0 lead to begin game two. UML would answer back quickly, though, on a ground out that would allow a runner to score, tying the game at 1-all. 

Maine re-took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Schwanz in the third, scoring Lou Della Fera, to lead 2-1. Once again, UMass would answer back in the fifth, this time on another RBI groundout to re-tie the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Jeremy Pena took home on a wild pitch to give Maine another lead, 3-2.

UMass Lowell would take the lead in the sixth on a big two run home run down the left field line, to take the lead for the first time all game, 4-3. After shutting out Maine in the bottom of the sixth, it would come down to Maine's final inning to get the win.

The top of the seventh saw John Arel come into the game, and after allowing one hit, retired the next three batters to keep Maine in the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Jeremy Pena singled to right field with Caleb Kerbs in scoring position to tie the game at 4-4. Pinch hitter Colin Ridley  entered the game and doubled to right-center to send Jeremy Pena to third, and after the River Hawks intentionally walked Christopher Bec, Jeremy Pena took home on a wild pitch to win the game 5-4, sweeping the double header.

John Arel gets his second win of the season and is now 2-1.

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The Black Bears and River Hawks face off again Saturday at 4pm for the final game of the series.

-UMaine-