LOWELL, Mass. - Host UMass Lowell (9-26, 6-8 America East) dealt Binghamton baseball (14-17, 4-6 AE) its first doubleheader setback of the season, defeating the Bearcats 12-2 and 4-0 Friday afternoon at LeLacheur Park. 

In the opener, the hosts scored runs in six of eight innings and produced five extra-base hits in the lopsided win. The Bearcats put runners on base in eight of nine innings but left nine stranded and struck out 12 times. Junior second baseman Alex Baratta provided the only offense with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Junior center fielder Daniel Franchi led off with a single and Baratta drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left center for his second home run of the season.

Baratta went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and Franchi and senior right fielder Anthony Meduri had two hits apiece.

In Game 2, the Bearcats put two runners on base in each of the first three innings but came up empty each time. In the fourth, Lowell scored three runs on four hits, including a two-run home run, to jump ahead 3-0. The River Hawks added a final run in the sixth inning on a solo home run. The Bearcats put a runner on base in all seven innings but couldn't deliver the clutch hits to score.

Sophomore designated hitter Sam Freedman and freshman first baseman Kevin Gsell each went 2-for-3.

Junior starter Ben Anderson (L, 6-2), league-leader in wins, strikeouts and ERA, gave up three runs in 5.0 innings. He struck out eight, raising his season total to 74. Anderson is well on pace to set the single-season strikeout record of 87, set by Mike Bunal in 2016.   

Baratta had another hit to raise his season average to .379, third-highest in the conference. 

The Bearcats continue to play without injured starters Shane Marshall (CF) and Jake Evans (SS). 

The teams will have to wait out some anticipated rain to see when the series finale can be played. Originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, it's expected to be pushed to Sunday, if played at all.