SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The UMass Lowell softball team dropped a doubleheader against Bryant University, 2-0 and 9-3, at Conaty Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Sophomore Brianna Martin (Methuen, Mass.) continued to swing a hot bat for the River Hawks (4-17, 0-2 America East), picking up four hits on the afternoon, including her first career homerun.
 
"We played pretty well for 14 innings, and we're getting better each game," said Head Coach Sean Cotter. "I thought it was an improvement certainly from our first game against Maine on Saturday."
 
Following a 2-for-2 showing in the first game, Martin commenced game two with a lead-off home run down the left field line, finishing the day 4-for-6 at the plate, including a walk drawn.
 
"You go back to last year and [Martin] hit around .350 the second half of the season for us after a slow start," said Cotter. "So when you put a year together, she's starting to really do it. She can beat you with the small stuff and she's starting to hit with power and she has been real consistent."
 
The Bulldogs responded with three runs in the bottom of the first before the River Hawks tied the game in the third inning when junior Abby Jamieson (Billerica, Mass.) hit the teams second homer of the game. With junior Ally Greene (Tewksbury, Mass.) on first, Jamieson hit a towering two out, two-run shot to right center.
 
Sophomore Marielle Handley (Durham, Conn.) had a solid outing for the River Hawks in the opener, throwing six innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out two. Handley now falls to 2-8 on the year.
 
Bulldogs left fielder Kristen Carter sent a 2-run shot out of Conaty Park in the second inning, which was enough for pitcher Elle Madsen who pitched a four-hit, two strikeout, complete game against the River Hawks.
 
The River Hawks will be back in action this weekend with doubleheaders scheduled at Manhattan on Saturday (12 p.m. & 2 p.m.) and at home versus Holy Cross on Sunday (1 p.m. & 3 p.m.).