Wednesday, April 3
at Bryant (4 p.m.) - Live Stats | Watch Live
 
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The UMass Lowell softball team (14-12, 3-0 AE) has just one game on the schedule this week, as the squad heads to Bryant for a mid-week, non-conference tilt. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The River Hawks went 4-0 last week, including a three-game sweep of America East opponent Maine. The team first erased a three-run deficit to defeat UConn, 8-7, in nine innings. Over the weekend, UMass Lowell picked up a 5-2 decision in its 2019 home opener against Maine before walking off with a 7-5 win in eight innings in game two of the series on Saturday. The team then completed the sweep with an 8-0 victory in just five innings on Sunday. Junior Courtney Cashman (Danvers, Mass.) hit .667 with eight walks on the week, while senior Sydney Barker (Upland, Calif.) and sophomore Maria Moccio (Feeding Hills, Mass.) each totaled seven hits. Sophomore pitcher Lovina Capria (Deltona, Fla.) earned all four decisions in the circle with a 1.11 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 26 games, Courtney Cashman leads the River Hawks with a .592 batting average, 45 hits, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored, 11 doubles and eight home runs. Sydney Barker, who is batting .403, adds 15 runs, as well, and Maria Moccio chips in with 16 RBI. Lovina Capria paces the pitching staff with a 10-5 record, a 209 ERA and 57 strikeouts.
 
GOING STREAKING
The River Hawks are in the midst of a six-game win streak. With just one more victory, the team will tie its Division I program record (7). Pitcher Lovina Capria boasts her own five-game win streak, as well.
 
QUICK START
2019 marks the fastest that the River Hawks have accumulated 14 wins since the 2012 season when the squad finished 34-18 at the Division II level. Additionally, the 3-0 start in America East play matches the program's best start in league play since moving to Division I.
 
PLAYING THE LONG GAME
The River Hawks, who already have 21 home runs in 2019, are in the midst of a Division I program best six game streak with at least one homer. Maria Moccio personally boasts an active three-game home run stretch, including the second walk-off long ball of her career against Maine (3.30). Courtney Cashman, who already totals a career-high eight dingers and her first career grand slam this season (at Yale, 3.19), is currently third on the program's all-time record list (20).
 
COMING THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH
Maria Moccio roped two, game-winning hits in extra innings last week. She first propelled the River Hawks to an exciting, 8-7 victory in nine innings at UConn on March 27 with a RBI single to left field before sealing the walk off with a two-run blast in the bottom of the eighth against Maine on March 30.
 
NATIONAL NEWS
Courtney Cashman is currently leading the nation with a .592 batting average and a .667 on-base percentage. She is also second in the country for slugging percentage, boasting a 1.079 mark.
 
MILESTONE MOMENT TO WATCH
Kaysee Talcik needs just 27 more strikeouts to become the fourth pitcher in school history to surpass 300 career strikeouts and the first to do so at the Division I level. Marianne Sparacia (Spring Hill, Fla.) is also closing in on a career milestone, needing just five more hits to reach 100.
 
WALK IT OUT
Courtney Cashman leads the America East with 19 walks. She drew five free passes at UConn on March 27 to set a new program record.
 
CLOSE CALLS
The River Hawks have been within striking distance in the majority of their games so far this season, as six of the team's 12 losses have been decided by two runs or less. Of those contests, two went to extra innings.
 
WEEKLY AWARDS
Maria Moccio earned her first career America East Player of the week nod on April 2 following a walk-off home run against Maine (3.30). Courtney Cashman has been named Player of the Week three times this season, most recently on March 26 after going 7-for-7 with her first career grand slam in the doubleheader at Yale (3.19). Sydney Barker was tabbed the Player of the Week, while sophomore Lovina Capria garnered a Pitcher of the Week nod to open the season, as both helped the River Hawks earn a pair of victories at the River City Leadoff hosted by Jacksonville from Feb. 8-10.
 
AROUND THE LEAGUE
As a team, UMass Lowell is currently first in the America East standings with a 3-0 start to league play. The River Hawks' offense is second in the rankings for hits (196) and third for runs (116), while the pitching staff leads the conference in strikeouts (90). Individually, Courtney Cashman leads the league in eight offensive categories.
 
OTHER NOTABLES
Olivia Labbe logged her first career home run against Maine (3.30) … Courtney Cashman set a season high with four RBI against Iona (3.15) … Melany Sheldon logged a personal-best three hits against Iona (3.15) … Kaylie See registered her first career win against Northern Kentucky (3.12) … Kaysee Talcik recorded her first shutout of the season against UNLV (3.8) … Courtney Cashman matched a career high with four hits against Marshall (2.22) … freshman Tori Mueller logged her first career multi-hit game with three singles against Georgia Tech (2.9) … Lovina Capria logged a season-high seven strikeouts at Jacksonville (2.8).