LOWELL, Mass. – After opening America East play with a three-game sweep over Hartford last weekend, the UMass Lowell softball team (18-11) will focus on replicating those successes against Binghamton. With the cancellation of the Thursday duel with nonconference opponent Siena, the squad will be well rested as they head into week two of conference action.
 
Saturday, April 9 | 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
vs. Binghamton – Watch | Live Stats
 
Sunday, April 10 | 12 p.m.
Vs. Binghamton – Watch | Live Stats
 
Last Time Out
The River Hawks put together back-to-back sweeps over Merrimack and Hartford, setting them on a five-game win streak. The midweek doubleheader with the Warriors demonstrated the team's defensive strengths, as they allowed just five hits and shut out their opponent in both games. UMass Lowell would dominate both facets of the game in the weekend set against the Hawks, outscoring the opponents 25-7.
 
Shutout Showcase
Following the pair of shutouts over Merrimack last Wednesday, UMass Lowell went on to open the Hartford series with a five inning, 8-0 victory. It's the first time since the 2007 season that the River Hawks have recorded shutouts in three consecutive games.
 
Stardom in the Circle
Junior Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) picked up her second America East Pitcher of the Week nod after posting a 3-0 record last week. In 17 and one-third innings pitched, she earned an impressive 1.05 ERA with two shutouts. In the series opener against Hartford, she came one strikeout shy of tying her career record, sitting down 11 Hawk batters. She ranks third in the conference with a 1.57 ERA, as well as third in total strikeouts, having sat down 90 batters.
 
Graduate Greatness
Graduate student Olivia Labbe (Rochester, Mass.) continued to produce at the plate in last week's series. The center fielder knocked in six runs for RBI, with three coming on a home run in the concluding game of the Hartford set.
 
Chipping In
Seven River Hawks now hold RBI totals in double digits, with Junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) topping the squad with 21.
 
Mueller Leading the Pack
Senior Tori Mueller (Clovis, Calif.) has been consistent in the batter's box over the last few weeks, slingshotting her way to the best batting average on the squad. The third baseman and slap hitter hits for a .320 average this spring. She's also demonstrated patience at the plate by drawing eight walks to sit her on-base percentage at .386.
 
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 23.
 
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 .970 fielding percentage, having only committed 23 errors on 770 chances. The defense has converted 565 putouts and 182 assists through 29 games.
 
Scouting the Bearcats
On paper, UMass Lowell and Binghamton are neck and neck in each major statistical category. The squads make up the middle of the pack in batting rankings hitting for .275 and .267 averages, respectively. The River Hawks rank fourth in the America East with a 3.34 ERA from the circle, while the Bearcats rank fifth holding a 3.63. The fielding cores are the best in the league, with Binghamton boasting a .960 fielding percentage.
 
Discipline at the plate may prove to be the advantage the River Hawks need to emerge from the weekend with the series win. The hosts have drawn the most walks in the America East with 72, while Binghamton has forced 52.
 
Alternatively, the Bearcats are an aggressive team on the base paths. Hailey Ehlers and Allison L'Amoreaux sit second and third in the conference in stolen bases, taking an extra bag 24 and 16 times.
 
Three hitters on the opposing roster have posted batting averages of above .300 so far in 2022. Alayna Harbaugh has had the most success on the squad, hitting .370 and 11 drawn walks through 26 games. Her teammate, Alli Richmond, sits just below her with a .325 average and has driven in the most runs, with a tally of 14 RBI.
 
Binghamton's pitching rotation can best be described as consistent. From the circle, each of the Bearcat pitchers have ERAs hovering around the 3.60 mark. Chelsea Howard comes into the weekend with a 5-5 record and 3.44 ERA, racking up 53 strikeouts and only allowing 13 extra-base hits this spring.