LOWELL, Mass. (Interstat) — Mike Stellrecht went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Binghamton erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat Massachusetts-Lowell 8-4 in the first game of a doubleheader Friday at LeLacheur Park.

The Bearcats improved to 27-20 overall and 12-7 in America East play, while the River Hawks fell to 20-28 and 8-14.

Binghamton struck first in the top of the second inning. Zack Kent singled up the middle, advanced to third on a hit by pitch and a bunt single by Stellrecht, then scored on a throwing error by River Hawks second baseman Rowan Masse.

The lead lasted only a half-inning. Massachusetts-Lowell answered in the bottom of the second with a four-run outburst. Carlos Martinez doubled down the right field line and scored on a single by Nicholas Solorzano. After Rowan Masse was hit by a pitch and stole third, Zachary Scott launched a three-run home run to right field, scoring Solorzano and Masse to give the River Hawks a 4-1 edge.

Binghamton starter Conner Griffin settled down after the second, retiring nine of the next 10 batters he faced before exiting after three innings. He allowed four runs on three hits and struck out three.

The Bearcats’ offense broke through in a decisive top of the sixth. Steven Kraus led off with a single and Zach Anderson doubled, putting runners at second and third. After a pitching change, Stellrecht walked to load the bases. Tim Hennig walked to force in Kraus, and Braylen Gonzalez walked to force in Anderson, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Sean Sweeney was hit by a pitch to force in Stellrecht, tying the game.

Matt Bolton singled to right to score Hennig, giving Binghamton the lead. Tommy Popoff reached on a fielder’s choice that drove in Gonzalez, and after a lineout, Kraus walked to reload the bases. Pinch hitter Caden Albright walked to force in Bolton, and Stellrecht singled to first to drive in Popoff, capping the seven-run inning that saw 15 Bearcats come to the plate.

Massachusetts-Lowell starter Frankie DeMaro took the loss after allowing seven runs, three earned, on seven hits over five innings. He struck out one and walked two. Relievers Jake LeFrancois, Will Melby Jr. and Josh Doney combined to allow four runs in one inning of work.

Binghamton’s bullpen held the River Hawks scoreless over the final four innings. Brady Bouchard pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts, and Jake Dally retired all six batters he faced, striking out one, to earn the win.

Scott finished 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs for Massachusetts-Lowell. Martinez added two hits and Solorzano drove in a run.

Stellrecht was a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk and an RBI for Binghamton. Kraus reached base three times on two hits and a hit by pitch, scoring twice.

The doubleheader was necessitated by a postponement earlier in the season. The two teams previously met in March, when Massachusetts-Lowell took two of three in Binghamton, including a 7-5 win in 10 innings. The River Hawks dropped the next two games in that series by scores of 16-10 and 14-10.

The second game of Friday’s twin bill was scheduled to begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.