ALBANY, N.Y. – A miraculous comeback from a six-run deficit will have the UMass Lowell softball team (22-13, 6-2 America East) pleased with a Saturday split result against UAlbany (21-13, 8-4 America East).
 
Runs were a struggle to obtain in the afternoon opener, where the River Hawks dropped a 2-1 decision. The second end of the twin bill began to head a disappointing direction as well, but a turnaround by the visitors leaves them elated with a 10-6 victory.
 
Sophomore Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J.) proved to be the difference in game two, tallying a pair of hits, including a three-run homer, which brought her RBI total to five in the ball game. Junior Brenna Davenport (Merrimack, N.H.) also turned in a solid showing, earning three hits throughout the afternoon and driving in the River Hawks' lone score of the first matchup. With UMass Lowell's late heroics, senior Kaylie See (Chino, Calif.) earned her first victory of the season.
 
The River Hawks got on the board in the second inning during game one. With two outs, Davenport drove the ball up the middle to allow junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) to make the turn and come in for the score from second base.
 
In the fourth inning, the Great Danes were able to steal successfully to move a runner into scoring position with just one out against them. A ground ball hit to sophomore Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) would've enabled them to advance, but quick thinking on a throw over to Tori Mueller (Clovis, Calif.) at third base retired the potential tying run.
 
The matchup continued to be a test for the offenses, as both squads struggled to find the means to position runners in opportunities to score.
 
However, UAlbany eventually broke through and got a pair of runners into scoring position in the sixth frame. A flare hit out to left field dropped in and brought home the Great Dane runners to give the opponents the advantage and eventual win, 2-1.
 
The hosts built off the momentum and started the second tilt with a strong offensive push. A two-run homer down the left field line brought the Great Danes to a 5-0 lead in the home half of the third inning.
 
Another solo shot strengthened UAlbany's lead to six runs the next frame, but the River Hawks then exploded in retaliation. A five-run fifth inning narrowed the gap to just one score.
 
Efforts to load the bases paid off when a fly ball hit to right field by sophomore Elizabeth Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) was dropped, allowing UMass Lowell's first run to come home. One batter later, Fisher drove a ball into the left center gap for a two RBI double, to cut the lead in half. Continuing on, sophomore Becca Vaillancourt pushed a sacrifice fly deep into center field to tally another run. Tulley followed it up with a double down the left field line to score Fisher, bringing the score to 6-5.
 
An inning later, the River Hawks continued to pile on. Mueller, the second batter of the sixth frame, hit an RBI single to bring UMass Lowell level. In her return to the dish, Fisher smacked a three-run homer over the right center field wall, flipping the script to a 9-6 River Hawk advantage.
 
An effort by graduate student Maria Moccio (Feeding Hills, Mass.) helped to bring in an insurance run, ultimately sealing the comeback victory, 10-7.
 
The triumph will push the River Hawks into their 12 p.m. matchup on Sunday, April 24, when they look to clinch the weekend series.