Box Score (PDF)

RUSTON, La. – Freshman Meghan Chojnowski (Templeton, Mass.) logged her first career home run in a 5-4 setback for the UMass Lowell softball team (2-7) against South Dakota (3-13) to wrap up the LA Tech Invitational on Sunday.
 
The River Hawks knotted the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning on the three-run bomb from Chojnowski. However, the Coyotes tallied the game-winner in the top of the seventh.
 
"This was a heartbreaker," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "There were several positive moments. The home run to tie it was great. Now we get to go back home and have some time to work on some things."
 
South Dakota created an early buffer with a two-run home run in their first trip to the plate. Freshman Olivia Labbe (Rochester, Mass.) recorded the River Hawks' first hit of the day in the bottom of the inning with a one-out single up the middle, but she was left there.
 
In the second, the Coyotes added one run on two hits. The River Hawks threatened in the third, loading the bases with the help of hits from redshirt-sophomore Casey Harding (Cheshire, Conn.) and Labbe, although the squad was unable to capitalize.
 
South Dakota extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth. However, UMass Lowell battled back in the home half of the inning to erase the difference. Freshman Maria Mocchio (Feeding Hills, Mass.) put the squad on the board with a deep ball to right center. Sophomore then Courtney Cashman (Danvers, Mass.) singled up the middle to put a pair of runners on for Chojnowski to tie the game at 4-4.
 
The game-winning run came in the top of the seventh on a base hit to center field.
 
Following the completion of the game, Harding and pitcher Lovina Capria (Deltona, Fla.) were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
The River Hawks have next week off before heading to the Mississippi State Tournament from March 10-11.
 
Louisiana Tech Invitational All-Tournament Team
Madison Jones, Missouri State
Darian Frost, Missouri State
Steffany Dickerson, Missouri State
Sloane Stewartson, LA Tech
Taria Page, LA Tech
Jazlyn Crowder, LA Tech
Dustie Durham, South Dakota
Emily Winckler, South Dakota
Casey Harding, UMass Lowell
Lovina Capria, UMass Lowell
Alyssa Chavez, Saint Louis
Kat Lane, Saint Louis
Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State