AMHERST, Mass. – A two-run deficit in the middle innings could not keep the UMass Lowell softball team (21-12, 5-1 America East) from triumphing over rival Massachusetts (16-24, 8-6 A10) with a 3-2 victory Wednesday afternoon.
 
Seven hits and three walks helped the River Hawks complete the come from behind win. A pinch-hit RBI single by sophomore Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J.) drove in the final run for the squad, with previous scores coming off the bats of junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) and sophomore Lea White (Meriden, Mass.). 
 
The battle between the two squads was all about creating opportunities and responding under pressure. The ball game initially began as a defensive duel between River Hawk pitcher Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) and Jessie DiPasquale of Massachusetts.
 
UMass Lowell pressured in the opening inning by getting two runners into scoring position, but a strikeout ended the effort before damage could be dealt. DiPasquale continued to be a difficult opposing arm, as she ended the outing with nine strikeouts. 
 
White held the opposition hitless through the first three frames, but the Minutewomen rallied to get on the scoreboard first by knocking in a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth inning.
 
The advantage didn't last long though, as the River Hawks responded with their next turn at the plate. Tulley opened up the offense for the squad by hitting an RBI double to the center field wall, bringing in graduate student Olivia Labbe (Rochester, Mass.) from second base. The next batter, Lea White, grounded out to first, but the play bought enough time for sophomore Becca Vaillancourt (Tiverton, R.I.) to level the score at 2-2.
 
In the top of the sixth, sophomore Elizabeth Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) drove a two-out double to open the door for UMass Lowell to gain the lead. Fisher took her stance as a pinch hitter and poked a hit into right field, allowing Frederick to make the turn and score.
 
The Minutewomen answered by getting two runners aboard in the bottom half of the inning. Before Massachusetts could capitalize, the River Hawks retired the side on a leaping line drive grab by junior Brenna Davenport (Merrimack, N.H.), preventing the home team from drawing even.
 
Tori Mueller (Clovis, Calif.) turned a double play on a lined shot down the third base side to wrap up the win over the rivals, 3-2.
 

The River Hawks look to carry the momentum on against conference foe UAlbany for the series opener on Saturday, April 23, at 1 p.m.