UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A last ditch effort by the UMass Lowell softball team (11-6) came up just shy, 3-2, its the Friday afternoon tilt against Cornell (2-7). The loss brings an end to the River Hawks five game win streak that began with their March 5 matchup with Hampton.
 
While the squad was able to achieve seven hits off Big Red pitcher Maxine McCraw, UMass Lowell struggled to find runs in their Penn State Invitational opener. Sophomore Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) knocked in the lone RBI for the River Hawks in a 2-for-3 day at the plate. The outing comes as junior pitcher Ryley White's (Wareham, Mass.) first loss of the season (7-1).
 
Cornell held a 1-0 lead through the early innings and extended it to two in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI single to left field with loaded bases gave the Big Red cushion, though it was only temporary.
 
As the innings turned, Lea White connected to drive a ball for a double and bring in the runner in scoring position, drawing UMass Lowell nearer at 2-1. The Big Red followed the River Hawk attack by adding another score off an RBI double that held their advantage at two runs until the final inning.
 
A base knock by sophomore Elizabeth Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) put runners at the corners for the River Hawks in the seventh frame. An error by the Cornell defense on the ensuing plate appearance by first baseman Maria Moccio (Feeding Hills, Mass.) allowed Lea White to bring the gap to just one run, 3-2.
 
Despite the River Hawks efforts to load the bases with two outs against them, Cornell fielded the final chance for UMass Lowell to knot things up.
 
The River Hawks return to action tomorrow for games against Penn State and Rider at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.