LOWELL, Mass. – Freshman Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) went 3-for-3 in game two, as UMass Lowell (15-23, 5-9 AE) grabbed two wins versus Stonehill (12-32) at River View Field in non-conference play on Wednesday afternoon. 

The River Hawks took game one, 2-1, and then earned a 10-0 shutout in five innings in game two against the Skyhawks. 

"Always nice to grab two wins," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "Avery had clutch hitting today. It was nice to get her back into a good rhythm so that she can take off into playoffs, hopefully feeling good." 

Spinello-Branch also totaled five RBI and three runs in game two, with one hit in game one. Freshman Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 on the day with three runs. Sophomore Alaina Santoli (Lovettsville, Va.) went 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs.  

Senior Jen Slanovec (Bethlehem, Pa.) got the nod for game one, throwing 5.1 innings with two strikeouts to claim the win. Junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) came in for relief, pitching 1.2 innings to collect the save for UMass Lowell. Sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) was in the circle for game two, going the full five innings and striking out six, while only allowing two hits to clinch the victory. 

Game one was underway with two Skyhawk baserunners in the top of the first, but the River Hawks were able to keep them from crossing the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Baumes singled up the middle, followed by a single to left from Spinello-Branch. Santiago would then push Baumes to third and steal second, allowing her teammate to score on the throw down and giving UMass Lowell a 1-0 edge.

Slanovec was able to retire Stonehill within three batters in the second inning. Freshman Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.) would be credited with the lone hit in the home half, as she launched a double to left center.  

In the third, the Skyhawks evened the score at 1-1 thanks to a pair of hits. UMass Lowell answered back with a double to right hit by Baumes in the home half of the inning, followed by a walk earned by Santiago, but no runs amounted.  

In the fourth, the Skyhawks and River Hawks each generated a walk, but the Stalemate remained. UMass Lowell then limited Stonehill to one baserunner in the fifth, gaining momentum for the next trip to the dish when the River Hawks rallied with two outs. Baumes started with a walk, followed by Spinello-Branch reaching on a fielder's choice with Baumes being able to reach second on a fielding error. Santiago then hit in the winning run, as she singled up the middle, sending Baumes home to make it 2-1.

In the sixth and seventh innings, the River Hawks were able to hold the Skyhawks to two baserunners combined, ending the contest in a 2-1 victory for UMass Lowell. 

Game two began with DeCitise striking out the side. In the bottom of the first, Baumes singled through the right side, followed by Spinello-Branch earning a single from a bunt to third. Next, Santiago walked, followed by a base hit to center produced by sophomore Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.). Freshman Madi Wade (Hagerstown, Md.) collected an RBI from a sac fly to right, as Spinello-Branch had enough time to cross the plate.  

The River Hawks kept the Skyhawks to one hit in the second before extending the lead, as UMass Lowell strung together five hits to register five runs. Hardy got the offense started with a single to second base before Santoli slapped a base hit to short. Spinello-Branch tapped a double to right center and then advanced to third on the throw, collecting two RBI. Santiago walked and Neeld got to first by a single up the middle, earning an RBI on the play. Wade finished up UMass Lowell's offense in the second with a double to right center, pushing two River Hawks home to increase their lead to 6-0.  

The Skyhawks were only able to tally one hit in the third. DeCitise led off with a single to left center in the bottom of the inning, followed by Santoli singling through the left side. Baumes was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Spinello-Branch then knocked in three RBI on a double to left field. Santiago grounded out to second, but was credited for the RBI, as Spinello-Branch reached home to put the River Hawks up, 10-0.  

It was a quiet fourth inning for both teams with Stonehill earning just one baserunner from a walk. The Skyhawks were unable to create any offense in the fifth, ending the game in a 10-0 win for the River Hawks.  

The River Hawks will travel to Maine for a three-game America East series starting on Saturday, April 26, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at Pierre & Catherine Labat Softball Complex.