BALTIMORE, Md. – The UMass Lowell softball team (24-17, 8-6 America East) was unable to comeback from an early deficit and fell in the Sunday rubber match with UMBC (26-9, 10-5 America East), 8-0.
 
The River Hawks tallied four hits against the opponents thanks to strong performances from sophomores Becca Vaillancourt (Tiverton, R.I.) and Lea White (Meriden, Conn.), who each recorded a pair of hits.

"It was a tough series against a very good team," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "We learned a lot about them and about ourselves. We'll look forward to seeing them in the playoffs."
 
UMBC opened the game with a 3-0 advantage after the first frame. To lead off the second, White moved into scoring position following a single and a stolen base, but the home team extinguished the opportunity.
 
In the fourth inning, White nearly got the River Hawks on the board, as she smacked a ball to right field that dropped in and got passed the Retriever outfielder, rolling to the fence. The shortstop rounded the bags and made an effort to come home, but the relay caught her at the plate, keeping UMass Lowell scoreless.
 
The hosts extended the lead further with a three-run fifth frame, and eventually took the decision, 8-0, on a solo shot to end the contest after six innings. 
 
The River Hawks return to Lowell where they will play host to Stony Brook for a three-game series, beginning with a doubleheader set to start at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 6.