Box Score (PDF) | Highlights

LOWELL, Mass. – Freshman Vanessa Cooper (Pleasant Gap, Pa.) logged her first career grand slam and tallied five RBI, as the UMass Lowell softball team (10-18) fell, 7-6, in a closely-contested outing against Boston University (8-20) of the Patriot League on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The River Hawks, who trailed by as many as six, threatened a late comeback with a five-run rally in the sixth thanks to Cooper's long ball, but they were unable to erase the deficit completely in their last of six-straight home games.
 
"It was a close game," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "Defensively, I thought we made some great plays. Then Vanessa came up and hit a grand slam to show we were in this game. We had a lot of fight, and definitely did more good things than bad things. Next time we play, I think it'll be in our favor."
 
Four other River Hawks recorded hits in the decision, including senior Ally Greene (Tewksbury, Mass.), who added two runs and two walks. Sophomore Erica Armenti (Shrewsbury, Mass.) pitched the first 3.1 innings to take the loss, while junior Marielle Handley (Durham, Conn.) finished the last 3.2 innings
 
Armenti made quick work of the Terriers' side in the top of the first before her offense went stepped up in the home half of the inning. Greene drew a four-pitch walk and stole second before senior Ariana Darcy (Kingston, N.Y.) also walked to put a pair of runners on base, but BU's Melanie Russell was able to extinguish the opportunity with a pair of strikeouts.
 
The pitchers' duel continued, as the game remained hitless through two innings. Kendra Meadows logged the first hit of the afternoon in the top of the third with an infield single. She would score later in the inning on a line drive to shallow left field by Moriah Connolly, giving the visitors a 1-0 edge.
 
Senior Abby Jamieson (Billerica, Mass.) ended the inning with a great diving catch at third to bring up the top of the River Hawks' order in the bottom of the third. Greene led off with her second walk of the contest, and advanced third with the help of a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt. Cooper followed with a two-out RBI double to the fence in left field, knotting the score at 1-1.
 
BU pulled ahead, 6-1, in the fourth with five runs on five hits, including a base-clearing double off the top of the wall by Brittany Younan. Handley retired the Terriers' side in order in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Greene and Cooper recorded singles and Darcy walked to load the bases, but the squad would not capitalize.
 
Greene highlighted the defensive sixth with a leaping grab in left. The River Hawks held on to the momentum when Jamieson laced a hard liner to right in her next chance at the dish before junior pinch hitter Taylor August (Howell, N.J.) drew a walk. Greene hit into a fielder's choice to bring up sophomore Tori Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.), who laid down a bunt single that plated the lead runner, making the score 7-2. Cooper then stepped into the box and drove a grand slam over the fence in right center to cut the difference to just one at 7-6.
 
Davies sprawled out for an out in foul territory in the seventh, but BU held off UMass Lowell in its final at-bat to seal the 7-6 victory.
 
The River Hawks will return to action on Thursday, April 9 when they make the short trip to Boston College for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.