LOWELL, MA (May 6, 2008) –UMass Lowell earned the No. 4 seed and will host No. 5 Pace University Wednesday (4:00) in the Northeast-10 Conference Baseball Tournament first round at Le Lacheur Park.

The River Hawks (26-23 overall and 18-12 in the NE-10) clinched fourth place with Monday’s 3-1 victory over Stonehill College. Pace capped the regular season with a 30-21 record, including an 18-12 clip in the NE-10.

In the other first round game, No. 3 Franklin Pierce (35-12, 20-10) hosts No. 6 Bentley (22-24, 17-13).

The semifinal and final rounds will be hosted by Franklin Pierce in Rindge, NH, at Arthur & Mary Pappas Field. The UML-Pace winner moves on to face No. 1 Bryant (37-15, 25-5) Friday at 7:00 while the FPU-Bentley winner meets No. 2 Southern Connecticut (33-15, 23-6) Friday at 4:00.

UML enters the clash winner in five of its last eight games, including Monday’s key split with Stonehill.

Pace has dropped four of its last five outings, including Sunday’s split at home against American International in which it won the opener, 9-4, but suffered a 6-4 setback in the nightcap.

Sophomore Dan White (Southboro, MA) is expected to pitch for the River Hawks. White has posted a 4-4 record thus far with a 3.10 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 58 innings. White has also frustrated opposing hitters into a .227 batting average.

Pace is expected to start senior righthander Dustin Corbett, who is currently 6-3 with a 1.31 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 75.2 innings. Corbett faced UML in the 3-0 loss in Lowell on Apr. 27 as he surrendered six hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out five over six innings.

“I expect Pace is going to come ready for revenge after a tough loss a week ago,” said UML Head Coach Ken Harring. “I expect they’re going to pitch Dustin Corbett, so I know we’re going to face a good pitcher. I think this game is going to come down to who executes in key situations and who gets the big hits when they need them.”

Pace leads the all-time series against the River Hawks, 10-3, winning the first six meetings. UML, however, defeated the Setters twice in three meetings this season: splitting two games in Pleasantville, NY, 6-2 and 3-5, and winning the rubber match (3-0) in Lowell.

NE-10 Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, May 7		Site	Time
Game 1	#6 Bentley vs. #3 Franklin Pierce	Rindge, NH	3:00 pm
Game 2	#5 Pace vs. #4 UMass Lowell	Lowell, MA	4:00 pm
Friday, May 9 at Franklin Pierce University
Game 3	Game 1 Winner vs. #2 Southern Connecticut	Rindge, NH	4:00 pm
Game 4	Game 2 Winner vs. #1 Bryant	Rindge, NH	7:00 pm
Saturday, May 10 at Franklin Pierce University
Game 5	Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser	Rindge, NH	11:00 am
Game 6	Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner	Rindge, NH	3:00 pm
Game 7	Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser	Rindge, NH	7:00 pm
Championship - Sunday, May 11 at Franklin Pierce University
Game 8	Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner	Rindge, NH	noon
Game 9	if necessary	Rindge, NH	3:00 pm