LOWELL, Mass. – A quick turnaround from a weekend split against Binghamton will lead the UMass Lowell softball team (19-12, 4-1 America East) into their midweek doubleheader at Maine.
 
Wednesday, April 13 – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
At Maine – Watch | Live Stats
 
Last Time Out
The River Hawks battled weather Saturday, with nearly five innings of their series opener against the Bearcats being played before rain suspended play. The River Hawks held onto their 5-0 advantage as they resumed action Sunday. The page then turned to the second tilt, which proved to be a defensive duel. With the game tied at one run apiece, Binghamton eventually clinched the victory, 2-1, in the tenth inning.
 
Stardom in the Circle
Junior Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) followed her America East Pitcher of the Week nod with another stellar performance. In her game one outing against Binghamton, she struck out a whopping 16 batters. The showing set a new career high for her and tied an all-time program record set on April 30, 2000, by Sarah Gagnon. White ranks third in the America East in ERA and total strikeouts, throwing for a 1.46 ERA and sitting down 109 hitters.
 
Pinch Hit Power
Knotted at 0-0 in the bottom of the fourth frame in game one against Binghamton, the River Hawks drew walks to load the bases with two outs. Head Coach Jen Starek called upon freshman Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) to pinch hit and potentially drive in a score. After working a 2-2 count, she connected with a pitch and smacked it to deep right center field. The ball cleared the fence for a grand slam, slingshotting the River Hawks to a 4-0 lead. For her efforts, she earned her first America East Rookie of the Week nod.
 
Graduate Greatness
Graduate student Olivia Labbe (Rochester, Mass.) followed up the Tow grand slam by hitting a home run of her own. A solo shot to nearly the same location solidified the River Hawk advantage at five runs. She ranks second on the team in RBI this season with 16.
 
Chipping In
Seven River Hawks now hold RBI totals in double digits, with Junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) topping the squad with 21.
 
Finding Her Groove
By hitting a double into right center field in game two against Binghamton, sophomore Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) has a steak of reaching base in nine straight games. The shortstop has hit for .300 this season and has an on-base percentage of .330.
 
Run It Up
Labbe has proved to be a threat on the basepaths and sets the team up for success whenever she has a chance to score. She is second among America East players in total runs scored this spring with 24.
 
Defensive Dominance
The River Hawks have shined when the ball is put in play by the opposition. UMass Lowell leads the America East with a .971 fielding percentage, having only committed 24 errors on 834 chances. The defense has converted 616 putouts and 194 assists through 31 games.
 
Scouting the Black Bears
Maine will be hoping that America East play brings better fortune to their squad. A 4-23 record in nonconference action yielded few close losses but facing conference opponents might be enough to try and spark a turnaround.
 
Upon starting conference action, Maine fought for a series split with Stony Brook but more recently dropped a couple of games to UAlbany, 1-5 and 5-8.
 
The Black Bears have been outscored by opponents 120-235 this season, which has hurt the pitching rotation statistically. Each of Maine's four pitchers have ERAs over 5.00 and allow an opposing batting average of over .300.
 
Despite her 1-7 record this season, Emily Reid has tallied 40 strikeouts in over 62 innings pitched and cannot be overlooked when in the circle.
 
Offensively, Maine can still do damage. Junior Jasmine Gray ranks top ten in the America East with a .342 batting average. Nine doubles and a pair of home runs have helped her to tally 14 RBI in 2022 and earn her an on-base percentage of .369.
 
Freshman Gabby Papushka has the potential to play a key role in the Black Bears chase for success in the future. The utility player has been a threat in the batter's box by hitting for .303 average and holds a .900 OPS. Leading the squad with 22 RBI, more experience could mean she plays an even bigger role for Maine in years to come.