CU Box Score (PDF) | RU Box Score (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Junior Tori Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.) went 5-for-7 at the plate on the day (.714), as the UMass Lowell softball team (2-7) dropped a pair of decisions on Saturday at the Wyndham Garden Cougar Classic.
 
The River Hawks fell, 6-1, in game one against Campbell (2-5) before facing a closely-contested, 5-4 setback against Radford (5-1) in game two.
 
"I feel like we ended today finally better here in this last game," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "In the earlier games, people were pressing too much on offense and putting too much pressure on our defense. Tonight we looked more relaxed and played like I know we can."
 
Alcorn added two runs on the day, while junior Alisha Welch (Langley, British Columbia) and freshman Sydney Barker (Upland, Calif.) both batted .400 (2-5) to help the offense. Sophomore Samantha McQueen (Ewing, N.J.) totaled a team-high three RBI on two hits, as well. Junior Lauren Ramirez (Dracut, Mass.) turned in a complete-game performance in the circle against Campbell with a season-high seven strikeouts and senior Marielle Handley (Durham, Conn.) pitched against Radford with four strikeouts.
 
The River Hawks took advantage of their first trip to the plate in game one, as Alcorn led off with a base hit and would eventually score on a RBI single to center field by Welch.
 
Ramirez preserved her squad's slight edge in the bottom of the second, leaving a pair of Camels on base to keep the score 1-0. However, CU knotted the score at 1-1 on a solo home run by Madison Herring in the bottom of the third before adding three unearned runs in the same at-bat to pull ahead, 4-1.
 
On the defensive end for UMass Lowell, Ramirez struck out the Campbell side in order in the fourth and McQueen showed great range with a long run and over-the-shoulder catch in center in the fifth.
 
The River Hawks made noise in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs with the help of a pair of CU miscues and a line drive down the left field line by Welch, but all three were left there.
 
The Camels extended their buffer to 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly, and then held UMass Lowell in the top of the seventh to seal the decision.
 
In the nightcap against Radford, Alcorn opened the game with a line drive to right, but she was stranded at third. Handley put her reflexes on display, catching a liner that was driven straight back at her to help keep the game scoreless through one complete inning.
 
The Highlanders broke the game open in the bottom of the second with four hits, including three doubles, to take a 3-0 advantage. UMass Lowell chipped away at the difference in their next at-bat, though, when the squad loaded the bases thanks to a trio of hits from Alcorn sophomore Kate Mims (West Chester, Pa.) and freshman Brianna West (Fairfield, Conn.). Alcorn would cross the plate on a wild pitch later in the inning to make the score, 3-1.
 
Handley kept Radford from pulling away in its next two chances, coming up with a pair of big strikeouts. The River Hawks' offense came to life in the fifth, using a three-run double that was roped to deep center by McQueen to pull in front, 4-3.
 
A homer over the fence in left during Radford's next trip to the dish tied the game up at 4-4. The Highlanders broke the stalemate in the sixth with a RBI double by Hannah Medlam that would be the difference maker in the 5-4 outcome.
 
The River Hawks will close out the Cougar Classic with two more games tomorrow morning, taking on Campbell at 9 a.m. and host College of Charleston at 11 a.m.