LOWELL, Mass. - An opportunity to force extra innings in game two was missed by the UMass Lowell softball team as they dropped a pair today, 5-0 and 2-1, against Stony Brook at River View Field.
 
The losses drop the River Hawks to 7-22 overall, 0-4 in the America East Conference, and 2-2 at home, while the America East leading Seawolves improve to 19-14 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
 
"Two really good college softball games that the fans were treated to," said Head Coach Sean Cotter. "Close game two, but we tip our cap to Stony Brook, they did a really good job, their pitchers did a phenomenal job and we felt our pitchers did a great job to match them as well, we just came up on the short end."
 
The drama in the final frame began when junior Kathryn Donovan (Hudson, N.H.) scored from first on a two out double by junior classmate Melissa King (Stamford, Conn.). King advanced to third on the throw before freshman Tori Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.) replaced her as a pinch runner. SBU's Jane Sallen put out the River Hawks rally hopes, striking out Brianna Martin (Methuen, Mass.) looking to earn her sixth win.
 
UMass Lowell freshman pitcher Lauren Ramirez (Dracut, Mass.) put forth one of her best performances of the season, tossing her first complete game, giving up two runs while striking out six Seawolves.
 
"Ramirez gave us an opportunity to win the game, I thought that was her best performance of the year on a lot of levels," said Cotter.
 
The River Hawks struggled in the opener against Stony Brook junior Allison Cukrov, one of the top pitchers in the conference. Cukrov, now 13-7, had a no-hitter going until UML freshman Alisha Welch (Langley, British Columbia) broke it up with a double to left field with one out in the fifth. Cukrov compiled seven strikeouts and allowed a lone hit.
 
Seawolves left fielder Bria Green picked up three RBI and hit two of the three home runs given up by UML pitcher Marielle Handley (Durham, Conn.). Handley, who tied a season-high with five K's today, entered the game having allowed one run in her last 13 innings before allowing five to Stony Brook. 
 
The River Hawks look to salvage the series finale against the Seawolves tomorrow at 11 a.m. at River View Field.