LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell softball team (20-12, 5-1 America East) has a important week ahead, with the squad set for a Kennedy Cup bout with UMass (15-23, 8-6 A-10) and a three game set against conference foe in UAlbany (18-12, 7-3 America East) over the weekend.
 
Wednesday, April 20 – 3 p.m.
At UMass –  Live Stats
 
Saturday, April 23 – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
At UAlbany – Watch | Live Stats
 
 
Last Time Out
A cohesive offensive effort helped the River Hawks take down Maine, 7-2, last week. Each starter in the UMass Lowell batting order reached base in the ballgame. Junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) highlighted the performances, tallying four RBI including a three-run home run. Sophomores Becca Vaillancourt (Tiverton, R.I.) and Elizabeth Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) also turned in multi-hit performances.
 
Weather entered the area shortly after the game's conclusion. The River Hawks will now host two games against the Black Bears on Wednesday, April 27.
 
Stardom in the Circle
Junior Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) has continued to demonstrate her command from the pitching circle, surrendering just two runs to Maine while striking out eight. The efforts helped to boost her record to 14-3 on the season. White ranks third in the America East in ERA (1.43) and fourth in total strikeouts (117).
 
Graduate Greatness
Graduate student Olivia Labbe (Rochester, Mass.) has been one of the River Hawks most efficient batters in the lineup this season. Patience at the dish helped to draw two walks against Maine, helping her on-base percentage to .386, good for second on the team. The center fielder has reached base on balls 13 times this spring and has been hit by pitch on six occasions.
 
Chipping In
Seven River Hawks now hold RBI totals in double digits, with Junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) topping the squad with 25.
 
Finding Her Groove
A walk and RBI single to center field by sophomore Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) brings her streak of reaching base in ten straight games. The shortstop has hit for .301 this season and has an on-base percentage of .337.
 
Run It Up
Labbe has proved to be a threat on the base paths and sets the team up for success whenever she has a chance to score. She is third among America East players in total runs scored this spring with 26.
 
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 .969 fielding percentage, having only committed 27 errors on 862 chances. The defense has converted 637 putouts and 198 assists through 32 games.
 
Scouting the Minutewomen
The outcome of the River Hawks' midweek tilt with their in-state rival might not have any impact on the team's performance in the America East. Still, with the chance to improve UMass Lowell's record in the fight for the Kennedy Cup, this game is a top prize.
 
The Minutewomen hold a record of 15-23 overall this season, having played some tough competition before beginning Atlantic 10 competition. The Bulldog Classic at the beginning of March hosted by then #16 Georgia proved to be a tough weekend for UMass, losing each game that weekend to the hosts, Appalachian State, and Ohio.
 
However, things have been going smoothly for the team since then. An 8-6 record in conference play is certain to have lifted their spirits, especially coming off a series sweep over St. Bonaventure.
 
Pitching has been where UMass has had the most difficulty this season. The Minutewomen don't have a pitcher in their rotation with an ERA under 4.00. While their top arm in Jessie DiPasquale holds a 4.17 ERA in over 105 innings pitched, her 6-10 record shows that the team has faced some tough hitters. Julianne Bolton holds a winning record of 7-6 this season, but currently has a 5.71 ERA and allows a .294 average to opposing hitters.
 
When the batters can manufacture a heavy run output, the Minutewomen win games. UMass score an average of 7.2 runs in games where they come out on top. In their 23 losses, they've been shut out on eight occasions and scratch across an average of just 1.6 runs in those contests. A look at their slugging percentage reveals difficulty generating extra base hits, with a .339 overall compared to the River Hawks' .416.
 
Giana Wameling's batting average sits at .238, but her discipline in her plate appearances renders her a challenging player to deal with defensively. Her team leading 25 walks this spring slots her at second on the squad in on-base percentage with a .412.
 
Scouting the Great Danes
UAlbany has been a consistent performer all season long, meaning they're in prime position to land a top seed in the America East once the postseason begins. The Great Danes boast an 18-12 record overall this season and are off to a hot start in conference play, winning seven of 10 games.

Looking at the team statistically, it's not hard to see where their success has been. UAlbany tops the conference in team batting average (.301), RBI totals (157), and slugging percentage (.453), to name just a few categories. They've smacked 62 doubles and 20 home runs this spring.
 
Even from the circle, the Great Danes have been turning in quality performances with frequency. Allowing just a .238 average to opponents, UAlbany's pitching rotation boasts a 2.85 ERA which has allowed them to play their competition very tight. In the team's 12 losses this season, the games have been decided by an average difference of just 2.3 runs.
 
Pitcher Wendi Hammond has been the go-to arm for the team. With a 10-6 record in 17 appearances this season, she's struck out 79 hitters this spring which has helped her ERA stay at a low 2.72. UAlbany has three other pitchers who've made at least 8 appearances and have ERAs ranging between 2.19 and 3.32.
 
Seven hitters boast batting averages above .290, led by Morgan Petty. The junior has been thriving this season, leading the conference in RBI (46) and hits (38). Her 1.167 OPS comes thanks to 10 doubles and eight home runs.