Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Postgame Interview

LOWELL, Mass. – After facing an 8-2 setback in game one of an America East doubleheader against Maine (9-18, 4-1 AE), the UMass Lowell softball team (13-16, 5-2 AE) battled from behind in game two to finish the day with a 5-3 victory.
 
"In the first game, Maine's pitchers gave us some runs, but that was the first time in a while that we haven't hit well," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "I don't know if we were intimidated or not, but I don't feel that we were playing with our same energy and fire. I thought we had that back in the second game, though. We just had to get over that hump and once we did, I thought we played well."
 
Freshman Courtney Cashman (Danvers, Mass.) went 3-for-6 (.500) to lead the River Hawks offense in the twin bill. Senior Tori Alcorn (Lowell, Mass.) chipped in with two hits, while sophomore Sydney Barker (Upland, Calif.) tallied two RBI. Sophomore Kaysee Talcik (Shelton, Conn.) went the distance in the circle in game one with four strikeouts and senior Lauren Ramirez picked up the win in game two with six strikeouts.
 
The River Hawks took advantage of Maine's early control issues in the circle in game one, as four walks and three wild pitches aided the home squad in jumping out to a 2-0 edge in the bottom of the first. The Black Bears threatened to respond in the second, loading the bases with no outs, but a pair of good plays at the plate kept the visitors off the board.
 
Maine was able to erase the difference in the third thanks to a two-run homer by Rachel Harvey before pulling in front, 4-2, in their next trip to the dish on a pair of RBI singles.
 
In the home half of the fifth, junior Kate Mims (West Chester, Pa.) stepped in and sent a shot through the right side to break up the no-hitter for the River Hawks. However, Maine would add two insurance runs to their margin in the sixth and two more in the seventh en route to the 8-2 decision.
 
The Black Bears plated the first run of the nightcap in the top of the first when Alyssa Derrick singled up the middle. T. Alcorn accounted for UMass Lowell's lone baserunner in the first two innings, allowing the visitors extended the difference to 2-0 on a fielding miscue in the third. Maine then put runners on the corners in the top of the fourth for Erika Leonard, who looped a base hit to shallow left, making the score, 3-0.
 
The River Hawks would not go quietly, though, putting together a two-out rally in their next at-bat to take the upper hand. Pinch hitter Emily Stevenson (West Jefferson, Ohio) got things started with a single to right before coming home on a two-run defensive error. Senior Alyssa Hasbrouck (Middletown, N.Y.), who was also called upon to pinch hit, drove a double to right center to tie the game at 3-3, and Cashman and Barker each followed with RBI singles to give their team the 5-3 advantage. Ramirez then retired the final six Black Bears she faced, sealing the comeback win.
 
Maine still owns a 9-3 edge in the all-time series against UMass Lowell. The River Hawks will return to action this weekend when they head to Binghamton for a three-game conference series on Saturday-Sunday, April 15-16.