UMBC scored six run in the first three innings en route to a 6-2 victory, and three-game sweep of the UMass Lowell softball team at UMBC Softball Stadium Saturday morning.
 
"We played well and competed hard, and it certainly wasn't for a lack of want," said Head Coach Sean Cotter. "UMBC just outplayed us."
 
The Retrievers bats got to River Hawks pitcher Lauren Ramirez (Dracut, Mass.) early, chasing her after 1.1 innings and three runs. Sophomore Marielle Handley (Durham, Ct.) came in relief, and aside from allowing a two-run homerun in the third, shut down the top offensive team in the conference.
 
Handley retired nine of the last ten batters she faced, and finished the game with two hits allowed, two runs, and a strikeout.
 
"Marielle pitched really well for the rest of the game and certainly gave us an opportunity to get back in it," said Cotter. "Their number one [pitcher] did a really good job on us and threw better today than she did yesterday."
 
The River Hawks return from Baltimore with an overall mark of 8-29, including a 1-10 record in the America East Conference. The series sweep improves the Retrievers record to 27-16 overall and 5-6 in conference action.
 
"We're getting better with the little things," said Cotter. "We have to find a way to play better right now, that's the key."
 
UMass Lowell scored both their runs in the fourth. Abby Jamieson (Billerica, Mass.) hit one of her two doubles on the day to left, scoring when Melissa King (Stamford, Ct.) singled through the left side.  A walk and wild pitch set up the River Hawks second run, as King scored on an error by UMBC shortstop Bridget O'Malley.
 
Junior Ally Greene (Tewksbury, Mass.) received praise from her coach, having an unbelievable weekend in the field making several spectacular plays.
 
Following a busy stretch of playing ten games in seven days, the River Hawks will have two days off before returning to the diamond on Tuesday when they host Dartmouth at 4:30 p.m. at River View Field.