LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) was composed in the circle, striking out seven, as UMass Lowell (4-14) earned the 3-1 win versus Massachusetts (5-18) at River View Field on Wednesday afternoon in a Kennedy Cup battle.  

"To be able to put together a win in our home opener as we start regional play was really awesome," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "Emily Baumes was clutch two times today. She's just been awesome, she's so composed, and in all of her at-bats she's been doing great." 

Freshman Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and one run. Freshman Taylor Dolan (Holbrook, Mass.) and sophomore Alaina Santoli (Lovettsville, Va.) were each credited with a stolen base. DeCitise threw the full seven, grabbing the win and only allowing five hits to post an ERA of 1.00 on the day.  

The Minutewomen put a pair of baserunners on in the top of the first, but the River Hawks extinguished the threat. Baumes opened the bottom of the first, ripping a single through the left side. This was followed by three walks, helping the River Hawks earn their first run of the game. Neeld was credited with the RBI, as she reached on four balls, pushing Baumes home to give UMass Lowell the early, 1-0 lead.  

The defense ruled the next three innings, as both teams combined for just two hits with freshman Grace Stepp (Richboro, Pa.) sending a well-hit single into right field for the home squad in the fourth.

UMass Lowell continued to hold the Minutewomen in the fifth, while also adding more offensive pressure. Freshman Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) knocked a hit into right, followed by a single up the middle from DeCitise.  

In the top of the sixth, Massachusetts notched a hit, but DeCitise recorded two strikeouts to close the inning, allowing no runs to score. Dolan would get the bottom of the inning started with a walk followed by a stolen base. Santoli then reached on an error, quickly stealing second. Baumes, up next, drove in the final two runs for her side on a single to center, putting the River Hawks up 3-0.  

Massachusetts did not give up, though, loading the bases in the top of the seventh and using an RBI single to push in a run. However, DeCitise, under pressure, was able to retire the last out of the game, firing the ball past a Minutewoman for strike three and  helping UMass Lowell claim the 3-1 home opener victory.  

Up next, the River Hawks will head to Baltimore to face UMBC in a three-game series starting on Saturday, March 22 with first pitch at 1 p.m. at The Diamond at UMBC.