LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The UMass Lowell softball team (0–2) opened the 2026 season Friday at the NM State/UTEP Invitational, falling to UT Arlington (1–0), 6–1, before dropping an 8–0 decision to host New Mexico State (1–0).
""There were some good things that came out of the first game," commented head coach Jen Starek. "We ran out of gas a bit in the second, but we'll regroup and be ready to go again tomorrow.""
Freshman Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) led the River Hawks offensively on opening day, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the season opener. Sophomore Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) recorded three hits across the two contests, including a pair of singles in the afternoon game. Junior Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) and sophomore Taylor Dolan (Holbrook, Mass.) also added hits, while sophomore Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) scored the team's first run of the season.
In the circle, junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) tossed a complete game in the opener, striking out six over six innings. Senior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) made the start in game two, working 3.1 innings with two strikeouts, and freshman Grace Rowan (Hood River, Ore.) saw her first collegiate action in relief.
Game 1: UMass Lowell 1, UT Arlington 6
UT Arlington used an early four-run second inning to take control of the opener, highlighted by a three-run home run that gave the Mavericks a quick advantage.
UMass Lowell began to settle in during the middle innings. Neeld singled up the middle in the third to spark the offense, and Spinello-Branch followed with a base hit to keep runners moving. The River Hawks broke through in the fourth inning when Santiago worked a walk and advanced into scoring position. Rowley then roped a double down the left-field line to bring Santiago home for the River Hawks' first run of the season and cut the deficit to 4–1.
DeCitise kept the River Hawks within reach, working through traffic and striking out six in a complete-game effort. UT Arlington added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth innings, while UMass Lowell threatened late as Rowley reached again in the seventh, but the rally was halted before another run could cross.
Game 1: UMass Lowell 0, NM State 8
The River Hawks opened the afternoon game with early baserunners, as Spinello-Branch singled in the first and Dolan added a hit in the third to put traffic on the bases.
New Mexico State broke the scoreless tie in the third inning, stringing together four hits and a three-run home run to plate five runs and take the lead. The Aggies added three more in the fourth to extend the margin.
UMass Lowell continued to compete at the plate, with Spinello-Branch collecting another hit and swiping a base to move into scoring position in the fourth. The River Hawks put runners aboard in multiple innings but were unable to convert, as the Aggies closed out the contest after five innings.
UMass Lowell continues play at the NM State Invitational on Saturday with matchups against St. Thomas and Utah Valley.
