LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The UMass Lowell softball team split its Saturday slate at the NM State/UTEP Invitational, rallying for a 10–7 win against St. Thomas before dropping a 10–0 decision to Utah Valley in the afternoon. The River Hawks move to 1-3 on the weekend following the pair of contests.
"Great first game against a tough opponent," said head coach Jen Starek. "We used four pitchers effectively and got the bats going with a big seven-run inning that made the difference. Excited to get back at it tomorrow."
Freshman Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) led the offense across the two games, collecting five hits on the day, including a four-hit performance in the opener. Sophomore Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) drove in three runs in the win, while sophomore Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.), freshman Grace Rowan (Hood River, Ore.) and junior Bergan Needles (Ashburn, Va.) each recorded RBI during the comeback effort. UMass Lowell totaled 14 hits and 10 runs across the split.
In the circle, Rowan earned the win in Game 1, tossing three innings to keep the River Hawks within reach before the offense broke through. Freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and senior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) combined in relief before junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) secured the final six outs for the save. In the second game, DeCitise got the start, with LaCedra and freshman Jessika Jennings (Roy, Wash.) working in relief to finish the afternoon.
Game 1: UMass Lowell 10, St. Thomas 7
St. Thomas jumped out to a 6–0 lead through three innings before the River Hawks responded with their biggest inning of the season. UMass Lowell plated seven runs on six hits in the fourth to take a 7–6 lead and never trailed again.
Hardy started the rally with an RBI fielder's choice before Rowan drove in a run with a double to the gap. Spinello-Branch delivered a two-run single to give the River Hawks their first lead, and Rowley followed with an RBI knock as Lowell continued to apply pressure. Needles capped the inning with an RBI single to push the advantage to 7–6.
The River Hawks added three more runs in the fifth for insurance. Spinello-Branch and Rowley each drove in runs during the frame, helping Lowell extend the lead to 10–6. St. Thomas pulled one back in the bottom half, but DeCitise closed the door with two scoreless innings to seal the comeback victory. Rowley finished 4-for-4 in the game to pace the offense.
Game 2: UMass Lowell 0, Utah Valley 10
In the second game of the day, Utah Valley used early power to take control, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second to build an early cushion.
Rowley recorded a double for Lowell's lone extra-base hit, while sophomore Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) and freshman Caroline Calkins (Orting, Wash.) added singles as the River Hawks totaled three hits in the contest. Jennings tossed two scoreless innings in relief to finish the game in the circle.
The River Hawks wrap up play tomorrow against UTEP at 2 p.m. ET.
