SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The UMass Lowell softball team came up just short in both contests to open the UTSA Roadrunner Classic on Friday at Roadrunner Field, falling 7–4 to Stephen F. Austin in the morning before a tight 4–3 battle against host UTSA in the afternoon. The River Hawks move to 2-5 on the season following the opening day slate.

"I thought we played well today against two tough teams," commented head coach Jen Starek. "We just need to generate a little more offense, but we're getting there. Excited to get back at it tomorrow."

Freshman Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) highlighted the day at the plate, launching the first home run of the season for the River Hawks — and the first of her collegiate career — in the opener. Sophomore Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) went 2-for-8 with two runs scored and an RBI across the two games, while sophomore Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) totaled three hits and an RBI. Junior Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) and sophomore Madi Wade (Hagerstown, Md.) each drove in runs, as Lowell recorded 16 hits across the doubleheader. 

In the circle, senior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) and freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) split time in Game 1 before junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) turned in a complete-game effort in the nightcap, keeping the River Hawks within one run into the late innings. 

Game 1: UMass Lowell 4, Stephen F. Austin 7
UMass Lowell struck first in the opener. Spinello-Branch singled to start the game and Rowley followed by sending a two-run shot to left, putting the River Hawks in front, 2–0, in the opening inning. Stephen F. Austin answered with a solo home run in the second, but Lowell extended the lead in the fourth. Neeld worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from junior Bergan Needles (Ashburn, Va.). A fielding error on the next play allowed Neeld to cross the plate and push the advantage to 3–1.

The Lumberjacks responded in the bottom half of the fourth with a two-run single to tie the game before breaking through in the fifth. A hit-by-pitch and a single put two aboard before a four-run home run pushed Stephen F. Austin in front, 7–3. Lowell kept battling into the seventh, as Spinello-Branch reached and later scored on an RBI single by Wade, but the River Hawks could not get closer as the opener finished at 7–4. 

Game 2: UMass Lowell 3,  UTSA 4
The River Hawks stayed within reach throughout the afternoon against the host Roadrunners. UTSA plated single runs in each of the first two innings before Lowell began to respond in the third. Rowley reached and later came around to score to cut the deficit to one, and the River Hawks took the lead in the fourth with a two-run frame. Neeld delivered an RBI single in the inning, while Spinello-Branch drove in another run to give Lowell a 3–2 advantage. 

UTSA answered in the fifth to even the score and used a leadoff home run in the sixth to regain the lead at 4–3. Lowell continued to pressure late and totaled seven hits in the contest, but UTSA's pitching held the one-run edge as the River Hawks came up just short. DeCitise went the distance in the circle, allowing four runs while keeping Lowell within striking distance into the final innings. 

Up Next
The River Hawks continue play at the Roadrunner Classic on Saturday with a matchup against Northern Colorado before bracket play begins. Game times and opponents will be determined following Saturday morning's results.