FAIRFAX, Va. – Senior Ellie Frederick (Sunapee, N.H.) hit .428 with three hits, including a home run, in a split twin bill at George Mason on Tuesday.
The River Hawks fell in game one, 14-4, in five innings, before earning a 5-3 comeback win in extra innings in game two.
"Today was an awesome team win, we put all the pieces together," said Head Coach Jen Starek.
Frederick added three RBI and two runs scored on the day. Freshman Isabel Quintanilla (Puyallup, Wash.) was another leader for the River Hawk offense, going 3-for-7 (.428) with one run scored, while junior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) went 3-for-5 (.400) with two singles, a run and an RBI. Senior Lea White (Meriden, Conn.) chipped in with two hits, two RBI and one run, as well.
In the circle, freshman Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) took the decision in game one, before junior Jen Slanovec (Bethlehem, Pa.) relieved her, going 5.0 innings pitched with a strikeout. Sophomore Giana LeCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) started in game two, going 4.1 innings pitched and recording two strikeouts. Senior Ryley White (Wareham, Mass.) would finish the contest, collecting five strikeouts.
"Giana and Ryley were outstanding," commented Jen Starek when asked about UMass Lowell's pitching.
The River Hawks plated the first runs in game one I'm the top of the first, as L. White and Quintanilla got aboard for Frederick, who crushed a home run to left center to give the team an early 3-0 lead. George Mason would respond in the bottom of the inning, though, rallying for seven runs to pull in front.
The Patriots extended their lead to 9-3 in the second on an RBI single and fielder's choice. In the third, UMass Lowell chipped away at the difference when Frederick doubled to left center to get in scoring position for an RBI single from Tow, cutting the deficit to 9-4.
The River Hawks continued to battle the rest of the game, with graduate student Brenna Davenport (Merrimack, N.H.) and senior Morgan Fisher (Glassboro, N.J.) each getting a base hit. However, the Patriots responded with a five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth en route to sealing the 14-4 outcome in five innings.
Game two was a defensive battle, as both pitchers held the opposing lineups scoreless through four innings. George Mason would scratch across the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth on a Rachel Warrens' triple and add a RBI single from Marlaina Bozek, making it 2-0.
UMass Lowell threatened the next inning, with L. White and Quintanilla reaching base on a walk and single, respectively. Frederick would advance the runners to second and third, but the squad was unable capitalize.
In the top of the seventh, junior Trinadey Santiago (Cheshire, Conn.) drew a walk and graduate student Cayla Tulley (Corona, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. With two outs, L. White then connected on a line drive to center field, scoring both runners to tie the game, 2-2, and help send the game to extra innings.
UMass Lowell continued its momentum in the eighth, as Fisher grabbed a leadoff single, followed by a Frederick double to right center. Tow would then reach first after she hit a ball hard to the second baseman, who could not control it, scoring Fisher to give the away team a 3-2 lead. They would extend the lead to 5-2 after Santiago earned a walk with bases loaded, and Davenport hit a sacrifice fly to center field.
George Mason responded with a run to cut the lead, but R. White would close the game out with a strikeout, giving the River Hawks the 5-3 decision.
The River Hawks return to action tomorrow, March 6, at 3:00 p.m. for a game against Georgetown.
