VESTAL, N.Y. – A quality offensive showing and impressive pitching from junior Chelsea Runyon (Scripps Ranch, Calif.) propelled the No. 3 UMass Lowell softball team (27-18, 10-7 America East) to a 7-1 victory over No. 6 Maine (8-35, 4-12 America East).
 
"It was a great team win, overall," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "We had awesome pitching, good defense, and we took advantage baserunning early. We had really timely hits, so we kept the pressure on all day long. Chelsea was awesome. We've been doing a great job coming down the stretch using all our pitchers. She stepped up today and we're excited to see the rest of the week with the whole staff."
 
Sophomore Becca Vaillancourt (Tiverton, R.I.) and junior Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) combined for five RBI on the afternoon. Sophomore Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J.) reached base in three of four at-bats via error. From the circle, Runyon struck out 10 hitters and surrendered just one run that was influenced by the afternoon sun.
 
The River Hawks loaded the bases in their first plate appearances of the afternoon. Tulley took advantage and knocked a sharply hit ground out to second, letting Vaillancourt make the trip home safely to get onto the scoreboard. Later in the inning, a hit by pitch with the bags fully occupied brought in a second run to put UMass Lowell up, 2-0.
 
What would normally be a routine pop up to the infield dropped in for the Black Bears in the second frame due to harsh sunlight, allowing Maine to etch their way onto the scoresheet.
 
In response, Tulley drove a fly ball to deep right field that ultimately scored two runs on the sacrifice., extending the advantage to 4-1. The next inning, the sunlight worked in favor of the River Hawks as a fly ball hit by Vaillancourt fell into right field to add two more runs for the squad.
 
With Tulley in scoring position during the bottom of the fourth, graduate student Maria Moccio (Feeding Hills, Mass.) delivered by driving her in with a double, pushing UMass Lowell to a 7-1 lead.
 
Maine fought back throughout the remainder of the ballgame, though the defense held them at bay. The Black Bears fought to get two runners aboard, but back-to-back strikeouts by Runyon shut the door on the fifth inning scoring threat.
 
Runyon would go on to finish off Maine with a swinging strikeout to wrap up the game one victory for the River Hawks.
 
UMass Lowell moves on to play UAlbany, Thursday, May 12, at 1:30 p.m. The result of the game will determine later matchups.