VESTAL, N.Y. - After an unprecedented three-week gap between games, Binghamton baseball (7-3) will try to recapture its momentum and extend its seven-game win streak this weekend when the Bearcats face UMass Lowell (9-7) in an abbreviated America East-opening series. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at Hartford's campus field. The Sunday game has already been cancelled. 

Binghamton was riding high the first weekend in March after sweeping a four-game set from No. 19 Virginia Tech. That historic sweep came on the heels of wins over Toledo (2) and Richmond the previous weekend. But then the snow came and wiped out BU's four games at Delaware (with Wagner) on March 10-12. And then Stella arrived and took the three-game America East set at Hartford off the table last weekend.

The 20 days between games represents the longest schedule gap in more than two decades.  

Sophomore third baseman Justin Yurchak is off to a sizzling start to his Bearcats career and leads the nation in three offensive statistics. He has two or more hits in nine (of 10) games this spring and ranks No. 1 in batting average (.545), hits per game (2.4) and on-base percentage (.608). 

Junior shortstop Paul Rufo is seventh in the country in hits per game (1.89) and had an exceptional weekend series at Virginia Tech - one that earned him his first America East and BU Athlete of the Week honors. Rufo hit .476 in the series and is now batting .395 for the season. Senior outfielder Darian Herncane is hitting .367 with two home runs. Herncane provided a key defensive play in BU's 2-1 series finale win over the Hokies when he threw out the potential tying run at the plate from left field.

On the hill, junior reliever Joe Orlando hasn't allowed an earned run in three relief appearances and has 12 strikeouts in 11 frames. Sophomore starter Nick Gallagher is 1-1 with an impressive 1.80 earned run average and junior lefty Nick Wegmann is 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA. Junior Dylan Stock has also been stingy in relief. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 6.2 innings of work.

UMass Lowell (9-7) has won five of its last six games with the lone loss coming against No. 15 St. John's. The River Hawks have beaten Notre Dame, UConn, William & Mary and Delaware to highlight their spring accomplishments. The team is hitting .266 and has a 5.03 pitching ERA. Sophomore outfielder Chris Sharpe leads the team with a .391 average and six six home runs. Junior outfielder Colby Maiola is hitting .328 with a team-high 16 RBI. Junior righty Ryan Andrew is 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in five starts. Sophomore right-hander Colin Duffley is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA.

The River Hawks went 20-32 last season, including a 5-19 mark in the America East. But two of those five wins came against the Bearcats. Lowell is 9-5 all-time against Binghamton. The teams are 5-5 since both have been members of the America East.