BALTIMORE, Md. – Sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) struck out five Retrievers in game two, as UMass Lowell (5-15) split with UMBC (7-20) in the America East Conference opener at The Diamond at UMBC on Saturday afternoon.

In game one, the River Hawks fell,1-0, to the Retrievers, but they took the 1-0 victory in game two.  

"We had good pitching and defense," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "We need better at-bats in hopes of taking the series." 

Sophomore Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) was 3-for-5 at the plate in the twin bill. Senior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.), freshman Madi Wade (Hagerstown, Md.) and Neeld each totaled two hits apiece in game two, including a triple from Tow. Tow also recorded two stolen bases today. 

Junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) pitched game one and struck out two. DeCitise was tagged with the win in game two, throwing the full seven and striking out five. LaCedra and DeCitise each only allowed four hits per game.  

Tow was the lone baserunner in the top of the first of game one, as she drew a walk and quickly stole second. LaCedra would shut the home team down in the bottom of the inning with three-up-three-down. It was also quiet through the second and third innings, with the River Hawks limiting the opposition to just two hits.

Spinello-Branch led off in the top of the fourth putting the ball into left, followed by a stolen base. Neeld followed her lead with a walk, but UMass Lowell was unable to cross the plate. In the bottom of the inning, UMBC would earn two hits, sending in a run and taking the 1-0 lead.  

UMass Lowell continued to battle in the fifth, but the team could not secure a baserunner. In the home half of the inning, LaCedra got herself out of a jam, as she allowed no runs with the bases loaded. 

Spinello-Branch was patient at the plate in the top of the sixth, earning a walk. In the bottom of the inning, LaCedra forced three groundouts from the Retrievers. The River Hawks would have one more opportunity in the seventh, as Neeld ripped a single to short. Freshman Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) now up, drilled a single up the middle, but the River Hawks were unable to score, resulting in a 1-0 loss.

In inning one of game two, both teams were retired within three batters. Neeld got things started for the River Hawks in the second, as she tapped the ball into right field. Wade earned her first career hit off a single to left, followed by Santiago reaching on a fielder's choice. Up next was sophomore Alania Santoli (Lovettsville, Va.) reached on an error by the shortstop, giving Wade plenty of time to score and putting the River Hawks in the lead, 1-0. 

In the third, Tow earned the lone hit of the inning, as she knocked a triple into right. UMass Lowell held UMBC on offense to three batters and allowed no baserunners.  

Wade singled to short, followed by junior Katelyn Fitzgerald (Ambler, Pa.) reaching on an error in the top of the fourth. The Retrievers earned a hit in the bottom of the inning, but they could not profit off of it.  

In the fifth, Tow singled to left center and then was able to steal second. In the bottom of the inning, the River Hawks' outfield saw some action, as Santiago made an excellent catch ricocheting off the wall, followed by a textbook diving catch from Santoli. DeCitise ended the inning in fashion, striking out a Retriever for the final out.

Neeld earned a single up the middle in the sixth, followed by a walk from freshman Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.). Fitzgerald recorded a single through the left side to load the bases, but UMBC dug its way out of the inning, allowing no runs to score. The Retrievers totaled one hit in the home half, but no runs were amounted. 

The River Hawks were unable to grab insurance runs in the top of the seventh, hoping their defense would be enough in the bottom of the inning to take the win. UMass Lowell quickly completed a double play in the last at-bat, with DeCitise striking out the final batter of the game to help the River Hawks to the 1-0 victory.  

The River Hawks are back tomorrow, Sunday, March 23, for their final game of the series against UMBC with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at The Diamond at UMBC.