NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Isabel Quintanilla (Puyallup, Wash.) recorded the lone RBI on the day, as UMass Lowell (0-9) dropped its doubleheader at Norfolk State (6-4) on day one of the Spartan/Pirate Challenge.

In game one, the River Hawks fell, 3-1, to the Spartans before they faced a 1-0 setback  in game two.  

"Tough day at the plate," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "Looking to turn it around tomorrow." 

Quintanilla and sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) earned extra-base hits on the day, with junior Katelyn Fitzgerald (Ambler, Pa.) going 2-for-3 in game two.  

Junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) got the nod for game one in the circle, totaling five strikeouts. DeCitise threw in game two and recorded seven strikeouts.  

It was a quiet first few innings for both teams in game one, as it was not until the bottom of the third that the pace of play started to progress. Norfolk State would total three singles in that at-bat, but LaCedra was able to get out of the jam without any damage done.  

Freshman Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.) showed a spark in the River Hawks' lineup, as she pushed a single up the middle in the top of the fourth.  

In the bottom of the fifth, Norfolk State earned two hits to help break open the scoring and take a 2-0 lead.

The Spartans went on to generate three hits in the bottom of the sixth, notching another run to now lead by three.   

The River Hawks found some momentum late in the game, as Hardy reached first on a walk, followed by a double down the left field line from Quintanilla to push across a run in the top of the seventh. The River Hawks could not create any more scoring opportunities, ending the contest with the Spartans, 3-1.  

Norfolk State got game two started in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a throwing error and securing the lone run of the game.  

Fitzgerald tried to respond in the following inning, as she ripped a single to short. The Spartans continued their offense in the bottom of the second and third, earning two hits between the two innings.  

In the top of the fourth, Fitzgerald posted another single to short before DeCitise followed her lead with a double to left center.

The River Hawks threatened in the top of the sixth, as senior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) recorded a leadoff single to left field. Fitzgerald would reach first for the third time in game two generated by a Spartans' throwing error. DeCitise up next, pushed Tow and Fitzgerald into scoring position on a groundout. With two outs, sophomore Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) would draw a walk to load the bases, but the River Hawks were unable to drive in a run.  

In the home half of the sixth inning, Norfolk State recorded a single and left two runners on base.  

The River Hawks had one more opportunity in the top of the seventh, but they could not cross home plate, resulting in a 1-0 loss.  

UMass Lowell is back tomorrow for day two of the Spartan/Pirate Challenge, taking on Hampton in a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at NSU Softball Field.