CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman Kate Hardy went 2-for-3 in game one, as UMass Lowell (3-13) fell, 12-4, to Austin Peay State (21-3) followed by a 14-1 loss against Appalachian State (9-14) at the Cathi Maynard Invitational on Saturday evening at Cathi Maynard Park.  

"We are looking for a big effort tomorrow to close out the trip," said Head Coach Jen Starek.  

Hardy also picked up an RBI, while sophomore Isabel Quintanilla was 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI versus the Governors. Sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) would knock in the lone run in game two.  

Junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.), DeCitise and senior Jen Slanovec (Bethlehem, Pa.) all saw time in the circle today. DeCitise threw six innings total, striking out five between both contests.  

The River Hawks began game one on a high note, as Quintanilla singled down the left-field line and senior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) walked, but no runs were scored. In the bottom of the first, the Governors quickly got on the scoreboard, as they recorded four hits to earn four runs.   

Now in the top of the second, Hardy pushed a hit between second and short, but UMass Lowell could not connect any more baserunners with her efforts. 
 
Freshman Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) and freshman Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) tallied back-to-back walks in the third. In the home half of the inning, Austin Peay State fired up its offense to record three runs and increase its lead to 7-0.  

In the top of the fourth, the River Hawks plated their first run generated by another single up the middle from Hardy, chipping away at the Governors' lead. A fifth-inning offensive spurt would follow, as Quintanilla and DeCitise collected RBI singles. Sophomore Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) then singled to right, sending another runner home to make it 7-4. In the bottom of the fifth, however, the Governors did not let off the gas pedal, earning four hits for two runs to increase their lead to 9-4.

Spinello-Branch singled to right center in the sixth, followed by a stolen base and then advanced to third on a wild pitch, but UMass Lowell was unable to get her home. In the home half of the inning, Austin Peay State secured the win, totaling three more runs to push the score to 12-4.  

After a quiet first inning for both teams in game two, Appalachian State homered to right center and picked up a triple to drive in three runs to take the early lead. In the bottom of the second, the River Hawks battled, as Tow and Neeld hit singles to the outfield. The Mountaineers continued their offense in the third, though, with three runs generated by two hits to increase their lead to 6-0.  

With the River Hawks unable to answer in the bottom of the third, App State did not let up in the fourth as the team strung together six hits to create seven runs, expanding its lead to 13-0. As UMass Lowell was eager for baserunners, Quintanilla reached on a dropped fly and ended up on second. DeCitise then singled to center, giving Quintanilla enough time to cross home plate to put a River Hawk run on the board.

In the top of the fifth, App State registered a run off of two hits to make it 14-1, and although freshman Taylor Dolan (Holbrook, Mass.) drew a walk in the home half, the Mountaineers held on for the win.

UMass Lowell is back Sunday, March 9 for its final contest at the Cathi Maynard Invitational, facing Bucknell at 11:30 a.m. at Cathi Maynard Park.