ORONO, Maine – Freshman Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) knocked three hits with one double on the day, as the UMass Lowell softball team (16-24) fell in a closely-contested doubleheader at the Maine (10-33) on Monday.

The River Hawks battled through a pair of tough games, falling, 1-0, in the first outing before dropping a 3-2 decision in the nightcap.

"We had a pair of tough games today," said Head Coach Jen Starek. "We'll focus on getting ready for UMBC next."

Junior Katelyn Fitzgerald (Ambler, Pa.) added two hits and one RBI, while sophomore Elizabeth Neeld (Huntington Valley, Pa.) posting one hit and one run, as well.

Sophomore Olivia Decitise (Troy, N.Y.) started in the circle in game one against the Black Bears, pitching 6.0 innings with six strikeouts and only one earned run. Junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsboro, Mass.) began in the final game, going 6.1 innings and totaling three strikeouts. 

The River Hawks began the day with one baserunner on a walk in their first trip to the dish before the Black Bears jumped in front, 1-0, in the home half of the inning on an RBI single.  

In the second, freshman Madi Wade (Hagerstown, Md.) drew a walk and freshman Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.) singled through the left side, placing two on for the River Hawk, The baserunners soon moved into scoring position on a groundout, but the visitors were unable to scratch a run across. 

Decitise tossed a strikeout to close the third frame, bringing the River Hawks back to the plate. The visitors were patient with their chances, earning three straight walks, but the one-run difference would remain intact. 

A quick inning from either side concluded the fifth, as the River Hawks looked to build momentum offensively. Although Hardy started off with a walk, and Fitzgerald knocked a single, the home team escaped the jam, heading to the bottom of the sixth. A pair of singles began the Black Bear at-bat before Decitise strung together three quick outs, including a pair of strikeouts. The last at-bat for the River Hawks featured a single from Santiago, but the Black Bears held on for a 1-0 decision.     

Game two began with a fast first inning for both sides, as the River Hawks generated a three-up and three-down bottom half. Wade got the bats cracking for UMass Lowell in the second, stroking a single through the left side, but she was left stranded. The home team saw its chance in the bottom of the second, scoring on a walk for the 1-0 lead. 

In the fourth inning, Neeld cracked a single and senior Emily Tow (North Kingstown, R.I.) walked, soon advancing from a groundout. With Neeld on third, Fitzgerald knocked an RBI single, knotting the game at 1-1. LaCedra closed the door for Maine in the bottom half, retiring the side on a strikeout swinging.

A single from freshman Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) and a double to right field by Santiago, placed two in scoring position for UMass Lowell in the visitors' half of the fifth. Eventually, both runners advanced one base on a wild pitch, giving the River Hawks their first lead of the game, 2-1.  

LaCedra held down the circle, allowing just one hit and no runs in Maine's next two chances, as a pop up to the catcher brought the game into the final frame. Looking to extend the lead, freshman Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) dished a single up the middle, but the home team remained within one with one half inning remaining. With one out, the home team hit an RBI single, tying the game up at 2-2, before stroking another one-bagger and driving in the final run of the game, concluding the 3-2 outcome.

The River Hawks return home on Friday, May 2, for their final weekend series of the 2025 regular season. The squad faces UMBC in a conference doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at River View Field.