HOUSTON, Texas – The UMass Lowell softball team (2-3) wrapped up opening weekend for 2020 at the Houston Invitational with a 4-1 setback against Valparaiso.
 
"I don't think we played with the same energy as last night," said Head Coach Danielle Henderson. "We played well, but the other team outplayed us."
 
Five different River Hawks logged one hit in the decision, including junior Sara Siteman (Hudson, N.H.) who logged her second home run of the young season. Junior Courtney Cashman (Danvers, Mass.) got on base twice in the contest with a hit and a walk, as well. Freshman pitcher Chelsea Runyon (Scripps Ranch, Calif.) earned the decision in the circle with three strikeouts in her first career appearance.
 
Both teams stranded a runner on base in the first before Siteman ripped a shot over the wall in center to give the River Hawks a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. However, Valpo answered in the bottom of the inning to knot the score at 1-1.
 
The Crusaders then pulled ahead, 3-1, in the third and held UMass Lowell without a hit until the top of the sixth. In that at-bat, Cashman led off with an infield single, but the team was unable to cut into the buffer. Valpo then added an insurance run in the home half of the inning to help secure the 4-1 outcome.
 
The River Hawks will head home and enjoy an off week before traveling to the Florida Gulf Coast Spring Break Invitational from February 21-23.