SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Elizabeth Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) launched a game-tying home run in the top of the seventh to force extra innings, but the UMass Lowell softball team (5-16, AE 0-1) fell, 5-4, at Bryant (17-7, AE 3-1) in the America East Conference opener Friday afternoon.

Frederick went 2-for-4 on the day with two runs and an RBI. Junior Trinadey Santiago (Cheshire, Conn.) batted .500 with two RBI, while senior Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) chipped in with two hits, including a double. Senior Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J) and freshman Isabel Quintanilla (Puyallup, Wash.) both recorded a hit and a run. Sophomore Katelyn Fitzgerald (Ambler, Pa.) and graduate student Brenna Davenport (Merrimack, N.H.) also contributed to the River Hawks offense, each recording a single.

Graduate Student Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) started in the circle, going 3.0 innings pitched, allowing four runs and three hits. Junior Jen Slanovec (Bethlehem, Pa.) would relieve her in the top of the fourth, going 4.1 innings pitched with two hits and a strikeout before sophomore Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) came in to finish the contest. 

L. White started the game with a leadoff double for the River Hawks, but was unable to score. UMass Lowell threatened again in the following inning, with Santiago and Fitzgerald grabbing back-to-back singles before junior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I) advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. However, the Bulldogs' pitcher Kylie Kenney extinguished the opportunity, recording a strikeout and a groundout to keep the game scoreless after two innings.

Bryant loaded the bases in the bottom of the third and capitalized on a fielder's choice to score the game's first run. A wild pitch brought in the Bulldogs' second run before Megan Marcel connected on a two-RBI single to right field, extending the lead to 4-0.

UMass Lowell would cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth, though. The stretch started with an infield single from Quintanilla before Fisher earned a walk. Frederick then stepped up and crushed a ball that the first baseman was unable to control, allowing Quintanilla to score from second and put the visitor's first run on the board. Later in the at-bat, Santiago lined a ball that deflected off the third baseman's glove, scoring Fisher and Frederick to put the River Hawks within one at 4-3.

Bryant attempted to extend its lead in the bottom half of the inning after earning another bases-loaded opportunity. However, the River Hawks' defense held off the Bryant attack to keep the score the same after five.

In the top of the seventh, with the game on the line, Frederick delivered a solo home run to deep right field, leveling the score at 4-4. In the bottom half on the inning, Slanovec and the River Hawks' defense retired the side, sending the game into extra innings.

The Bulldogs recorded a single and a walk before both runners would steal bases and get into scoring position to start the bottom of the eighth. An RBI infield single from catcher McKenzie McAloon sealed the game for Bryant in 5-4 fashion.  

The River Hawks return to Contay Park tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.