WASHINGTON, D.C. – After seven scoreless innings, the UMass Lowell softball team (9-7) broke through with three runs in the top of the eighth and held off a late push to defeat George Washington (11-7), 3–2, in extra innings on Tuesday afternoon at the GW Softball Field.

"Another great team win," said head coach Jen Starek. "Giana pitched really well and got us through the lineup three times, and Liv came in and closed it out for us. We played great defense behind them, and Liz Neeld has been red hot and clutch."

Both teams were locked in a pitcher's duel early, as senior pitcher Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) kept the Revolutionaries off the board through the first six innings. The senior worked out of several scoring threats, including a key moment in the third inning when George Washington opened the frame with a triple before the River Hawks defense recorded three straight outs to strand the runner at third.

The Lowell defense continued to make timely plays behind LaCedra throughout the afternoon. Sophomore shortstop Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) handled a ground ball to strand a runner at second, while sophomore first baseman Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.) and junior second baseman Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) turned a quick double play in the fifth inning to erase another baserunner.

In the sixth, freshman outfielder Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) tracked down a fly ball in left field to cap a quick three-up, three-down inning, helping keep the game scoreless heading into the late frames.

UMass Lowell threatened in the sixth after sophomore infielder Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) singled through the right side and Spinello-Branch advanced the runner with a bunt, but the Revolutionaries escaped the inning and the game remained tied heading into the seventh.

With neither side able to break through in regulation, the game moved into extra innings.

Starting the eighth with freshman infielder Caroline Calkins (Orting, Wash.) placed on second, the River Hawks manufactured the opening run. Sophomore outfielder Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Calkins to third, and Baumes brought her home moments later on a fielder's choice to give Lowell a 1–0 lead.

UMass Lowell added insurance later in the inning when Neeld delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, lining a two-run single to center field that scored freshman catcher Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and Spinello-Branch to extend the advantage to 3–0.

George Washington responded in the bottom half when Daniella Lew launched a two-run home run to right-center to cut the deficit to one. However, the River Hawks held on as Baumes made a diving catch in center field for the final out, sealing the extra-inning victory.

LaCedra finished with 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out three. Junior pitcher Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) earned the win in relief after pitching the final 1.2 innings.

Neeld led the River Hawks offensively with two RBIs, while Baumes added the go-ahead RBI. Lowell totaled four hits in the contest, including singles from Baumes, Neeld, Van Alstyne and Santiago.

Up next, the River Hawks will wrap up their spring break trip with a doubleheader at George Mason on Wednesday.