The Massachusetts baseball team seemingly swung its way into control on Wednesday, churning out six runs through just three innings against Boston College.

For a team familiar with offensive struggles this season – UMass averaged 3.7 runs per game entering Wednesday – taking a 6-2 lead against an Eagles team dealing with similar offensive woes offered the Minutemen a promising chance to break their four-game losing streak.

But that promising chance faded away.

UMass (3-17) failed to score over the final six innings of play and allowed Boston College to methodically chip away at the lead, eventually falling 7-6 in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles plated at least one run in innings three through six and grabbed ahold of the lead in the sixth, taking advantage of a crucial Minutemen mistake.

With runners on first and second, Boston College (9-18) dropped down a bunt. UMass pitcher D.J. Jauss overthrew third base while fielding the bunt, allowing Eagles outfielder Michael Strem to score the seventh run.

UMass was aggressive to start, taking a commanding lead with a five-run third inning. Right fielder Adam Picard highlighted the inning with a three-run home run, his second of the season. Picard, who hit .300 a season ago, entered the game batting just .183.

“He’s struggling a little bit at the plate,” Stone said. “He’s not unlike a number of (hitters) who are struggling right now.”

Dylan Begin initiated the scoring in the inning, driving Kyle Adie in with an RBI double which tied the game at 2-2. Adie led off the third inning with his own double. Designated hitter Mike Geannelis also scored in the inning on a throwing error.

“We took advantage of a couple of (Boston College) pitchers who were struggling with command,” Stone said.

However, the four-run lead was short lived.

Minutemen starter Tim Cassidy lasted four innings in his first start of the season and picked up the loss. He allowed six runs (five earned) while striking out four and walking three. Cassidy missed all of 2013 with a hip injury and appeared in four games before Wednesday.

“He ran into some trouble at the end of his appearance,” Stone said. “He walked a few batters and hit a batter and got into some trouble.”

Boston College tied the game in the fifth inning. Trailing 6-4, Chris Shaw singled through the right side of the infield which plated first baseman John Hennessey and advanced second baseman Blake Butera to third base. Butera would later score the tying run on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Tom Bourdon.

UMass returns home on Friday to face Dayton in a three-game series. Weather permitting, it will be the Minutemen’s first opportunity to play at home this season and a chance to reverse direction on a disappointing start. To date, Stone acknowledged he had “absolutely not” seen enough improvement so far this season. Stone noted the team is finding ways to beat itself and is having trouble finishing games.

First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m.

 Mark Chiarelli can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.