WEST CHESTER, PA (Mar. 1, 2008) – Senior 2B Kyle Bechter batted 4 for 6 with three runs and two RBI to lead No. 15 West Chester University over UMass Lowell, 3-2 and 5-3 Saturday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader at Serpico Stadium.

With the losses, UML slipped to 0-2 to start the season while the Rams improved to 6-0. The two meet again Sunday for a twin bill beginning at 12:00.

In the opener, junior LF Charlie Kelly batted 3 for 3 and drove home all three runs to lift the Rams to the 3-2 win. Kelly broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning with a two run double to give WCU the lead for good.

The River Hawks pulled one back in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by senior CF Tim Manton (Swansea, MA), which scored senior SS Anthony Santos (Chelmsford, MA).

The Rams opened the scoring in the first inning when Kelly singled home Bechter, who singled and advanced to second on a hit batter. UML drew even in the second on a solo home run by sophomore 1B Taylor von Kriegenbergh (Stoneham, MA).

Senior P Chris Powl earned the win to improve to 1-0 as he scattered two hits, two walks and one earned run over five innings. Senior P James Barry (Chelmsford, MA) took the loss as he allowed five hits, three earned runs and two walks while going the distance.

In the nightcap, WCU broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning to complete the sweep. Bechter batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and junior RF Matt Cotellese hit 3 for 4 with one RBI to lead the Rams.

Manton led UML, hitting 2 for 3 with one run while freshman 2B Sean Burns (Colchester, VT) went 1 for 3 with one run and one RBI.

Junior P Jason Bowman earned the win as he yielded five hits, three runs (two earned) and no walks. Junior P Jeff Maloney (Haverhill, MA) took the loss, allowing 11 hits, three earned runs and a walk while striking out four.

Cotellese and smacked an RBI double in the sixth inning and later scored on a double by junior 1B Blair Dameron to seal the win for WCU.

UML opened the scoring in the first inning as Burns singled home Manton, who had opened the inning with a double. Burns later scored on an error as did junior DH Tim Keene (Berlin, NH) who reached on a single.

The Rams evened matters in the third inning when junior SS Nick Spisak hit an RBI triple and Bechter followed with a two-run shot.