Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Freshman Marielle Handley (Durham, Conn.) had yet another impressive outing for the River Hawks as UMass Lowell defeated Southern Connecticut, 5-2 in the first game of Saturday's double-header at River View Field in Lowell, Mass.

The win brought UMass Lowell to 11-15 overall on the season. The River Hawks have a 4-2 mark in the Northeast division of the Northeast-10 Conference.

The loss dropped Southern Connecticut to 15-12 overall on the season. The Owls have a 4-1 mark in the Southwest division of the NE-10.

UMass Lowell fell behind in the first inning. With runners on first and third, Southern Connecticut's Alyssa Downs grounded out to third base. However, the runner from third scored on the play and gave the Owls a 1-0 lead.

The River Hawks responded in the third inning when sophomore outfielder Ariana Darcy (Wallkill, N.Y.) ripped a 2-RBI triple to deep right-center field. Sophomore Ally Greene (Tewksbury, Mass.) and senior Krista MacKenzie (Ipswich, Mass.) each scored on the play.

Darcy finished the game one for two with a walk, 2 RBI and a stolen base.

UMass Lowell went on to add three more insurance runs over the next two innings, ensuring the seventh victory of the year for Handley.

Handley threw all seven innings and allowed just two runs on eight hits while striking out six.

Kelsey Cockrill took the loss for the Owls. Cockrill pitched six innings and allowed five runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out three.

Sophomore Courtney Lanfranchi (Burlington, Mass.) pitched a complete game shutout of Southern Connecticut as UMass Lowell completed the Saturday sweep of the Owls with a 6-0 victory at River View Field.

Leading 1-0 in the third inning, sophomore Melissa King (Stamford, Conn.) ripped a two-run homerun over the fence in left-center field. The shot was King's second of the season and gave UMass Lowell a 3-0 advantage.

The River Hawks added to that lead in the sixth inning when freshman Anna Crowley (Eastchester, N.Y.) hit a fly ball to right field. The ball tipped off the glove of the Southern Connecticut outfielder and fell to the grass in short right field.

Darcy, Greene and sophomore Rachel Bullard (Worcester, Mass.) all scored on the play.

The six UMass Lowell runs would be more than enough for Lanfranchi. The right hander tossed seven innings of shutout softball while scattering six hits.

Jessica Van Alphen took the loss for the Owls. Van Alphen pitched five and two thirds innings and allowed six runs (three earned) on ten hits.