BALTIMORE, Md. – The UMass Lowell softball team (20-27-1, 8-12 AE) is primed and ready for America East Tournament play, entering as the #4 seed after finishing the regular season with a conference record of 8-12. They will face off against Bryant in the first round on Wednesday, May 10 at 11 a.m at The Diamond at UMBC.   

Wednesday, May 10 – 11:00 a.m.
vs. #5 Bryant – Watch | Live Stats
 
Championship Central 

Team History
Bryant – All-time record: 4-5 | Last meeting: April 2, 2023 (UML, 3-0) 
 
Last Time Out
The River Hawks traveled to UMBC earlier than any other team in the conference, facing off against the Retrievers in their final regular season series this past weekend. UMBC took two of three, but the River Hawks fought to earn a 3-2 victory in the regular season finale after falling in Friday's doubleheader 8-0 and 6-2, giving them some momentum heading into the tournament.  

Junior Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J.) led the River Hawks offensively throughout the series, finishing the weekend 3-for-7 (.429), driving in one of the team's two runs in game one with an RBI double, before hitting a two-run single in the 3-2 game-three victory. She also. Sophomore Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) picked up a couple big hits as well, finishing 2-for-7 (.286) with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. 

The duo of freshman Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) and senior Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) each appeared in the game-three victory, as White got the win in relief, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing just one hit with three strikeouts.  LaCedra got the start, going 2.1 with two earned runs and a strikeout.  

DO NOT Run on Her 
Fisher has proven to be one of the best catchers in the nation at throwing runners out stealing this season, as she ranks tied for fifth in the NCAA with 18 runners caught stealing. She leads the conference as well by a whopping nine runners. On top of her defensive success, Fisher also leads the River Hawks in most offensive categories.
Conference Comparison

The River Hawks have many players that finished the regular season in top spots in the America East statistical categories. Graduate student Tori Mueller proved she is a threat both at the plate and on the basepaths, ranking first in the conference in runs scored (33) and seventh in stolen bases (10), while collecting the conference's 10th-most hits (40). Fisher ranks fourth in hits (47), while senior Cayla Tuley (Corona, Calif.) (37) and Fisher (35) are second and third in RBI, respectively. Fisher also ranks tied for second in doubles (10). Tulley is also tied for fourth in triples (2) and is tied with junior Ellie Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) for the conference-lead in home runs (8). Case sits in a tie for fourth with 6. 

In the circle, senior Ryley White sits near the top of almost every statistical category. White has only allowed three home runs to lead the conference. She also boasts the conference's fourth-best ERA (2.55) and opposing batting average (.223), while third in runs allowed (38). LaCedra has the fourth-most innings pitched (112.2) in the conference, as well as the fifth-most wins (10). She is also maintaining a top-six ERA (2.92). 
 
Freshman Phenoms
LaCedra and classmate Katelyn Fitzgerald (Ambler, Pa.) have burst onto the scene in their debut seasons. LaCedra finished her first collegiate regular season with a 10-6 record from the circle and 17 starts. Of those starts, 10 of them were complete games, while three were shutouts. She also tallied 61 strikeouts on her way to winning the 2023 Rookie of the Year Award at this year's Rowdy Awards. 

Fitzgerald shined from day one, earning the starting job at first base and performing well offensively. Her regular season ended with a .245 batting average, 27 hits and 12 RBI, while boasting a .336 on-base percentage. Both LaCedra and Fitzgerald's opening campaigns earned them a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team.    

Scouting the Bulldogs
Bryant is the new kid on the block in the America East, as 2023 marks their first year in the conference. They finished their inaugural America East season ranked fifth in the league with a 18-27 overall record, going 6-12 against conference opponents. 

The team is riding some momentum going into the tournament, coming off a series win over Maine this past weekend, picking up a pair of one-run victories. They even knocked off the top seeded UMBC 6-5 on April 29.

The River Hawks hosted the Bulldogs earlier this season on Friday, March 31 and Sunday, April 2, winning two of three games by scores of 3-2 and 3-0. Bryant pulled off a game two victory 4-1. They're ranked fifth in the conference both offensively with a .234 team average, and in pitching with a 4.40 ERA as a squad. Their .956 fielding percentage is also good for fourth, giving the River Hawks the edge statistically. Senior third baseman Aleix Hudson was the lone All-Conference player for the Bulldogs this season after being named to the Second Team.