Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview

CONWAY, S.C. – Senior Tori Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.) and freshman Courtney Cashman (Danvers, Mass.) each went 2-for-4 to pace the UMass Lowell softball team (5-9) in a 5-3 loss at Coastal Carolina (20-5) on Wednesday afternoon.
 
"It took us awhile to get into the game," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "Then we started to get some runners on and make some things happen, but we needed to start that sooner. We want to take advantage of this week being down here because we're going to get back home and maybe be trapped inside for a little bit, so we just need to show up like we did last Saturday and Sunday, and bring that into this weekend."
 
T. Alcorn and Cashman tallied one RBI apiece, as well. Sophomore Kaysee Talcik (Shelton, Conn.), who totaled four strikeouts, went the distance in the circle to move to 3-4 on the season.
 
The Chanticleers got on the board in the first inning on a RBI single up the middle by Timi Tooley. The home squad threatened for more in the same at-bat, but Talcik forced a big strikeout to leave the bases loaded and keep the difference at just 1-0.
 
The River Hawks were retired in order in the top of the second, and although junior Kate Mims (West Chester, Pa.) caught her first runner stealing of the season to start off the home half of the inning, CCU was able to extend its margin on a two-run homer by Alexis Alvino.
 
In the third, UMass Lowell put runners on the corners when Mims was hit by a pitch before advancing to second on a wild pitch and junior Madison Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.) followed with a base hit to the pitcher. However, the visitors were unable to capitalize. The Chants then used a RBI to center from Taty Forbes to take a four-run lead in the fourth. Freshman Marianne Sparacia (Spring Hill, Fla.) showed off her athleticism in right, making a good catch before firing to first to pick off the diving runner and end the inning.
 
T. Alcorn sparked the River Hawk offense to life in the fifth, starting what would be a three-run rally with a two-out RBI single through the right side. The visitors continued to battle and loaded the bases to set up a RBI walk by sophomore Sydney Barker (Upland, Calif.) and a liner to right by Cashman that drove in T. Alcorn, closing the gap to just one at 4-3.
 
UMass Lowell put the tying run on third in the sixth in the form of redshirt-freshman Casey Harding (Cheshire, Conn.), who roped a hard-hit ball down the left field line, but she would be stranded there. The Chanticleers added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning to seal the 5-3 decision.
 
The River Hawks will conclude their 10-day road trip with five games this weekend at the UNCW Invitational from March 17-19.