Oct. 28, 2009

Complete 2010 Baseball Schedule

Kicking off the season with a double-header against 2009 NCAA Division II East Regional Championship runner-up Dominican, UMass Lowell will hit the ground running in its 2010 schedule, announced Monday by head coach Ken Harring.

The 50-game slate features a grueling non-conference schedule with games against 2009 NCAA Division II Champion Lynn University and representatives West Chester and Dowling. In addition, the River Hawks have their usual line up of 26 Northeast-10 contests, which produced two NCAA Division II Championship bids for Franklin Pierce and Assumption.

"I think our schedule sets up great as we will be tested early with some tough non-conference games," Harring said. "We set up our schedule to make us better for when we get into the tough Northeast-10 conference games."

"We have 26 conference games that will be a battle from start to finish and we are really looking forward to this schedule because it's going to be a challenge. Most importantly, this schedule will prepare us for the NCAA Tournament--no question about it."

UMass Lowell starts the season with a 17-game road trip, including seven double-headers against Dominican, East Stroudsburg, West Chester, St. Thomas Aquinas, Molloy and Dowling.

The River Hawks host Southern Connecticut in their home opener on Saturday, March 20, in a double-header at LeLacheur Park starting at noon.

UMass Lowell looks to improve on a successful 25-21 campaign in 2009. Season highlights included a first round victory over Southern Connecticut in the Northeast-10 playoffs and hurler Jack Leathersich (Beverly, MA) claiming both NEIBA All-Star and Northeast-10 Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors.

The River Hawks have much to look forward to in 2010 after a terrific summer. Pitchers Leathersich and Dallas Nunes (Easton, MA) joined with outfielder Peter Onorato (Clarence Center, NY) to guide the Haymarket Senators to the 2009 Valley Baseball League Lineweaver Cup. Haymarket went 29-23 and finished off the season with a 6-1 victory over the Covington Jacks.

Leathersich left a lasting mark on the Valley Baseball League this summer, earning a spot on the mid-season All-Star team before helping claim the league title. For his outstanding play, Leathersich was named the top prospect in the Valley Baseball League by PG Cross Checker.