FAIRFAX, Va. – The UMass Lowell softball team (9–9) dropped a pair of tightly contested games to George Mason (10-10) on Wednesday afternoon at GMU Softball Complex. The River Hawks fell 2–1 in nine innings in the opener before dropping the finale, 1–0.

"Two tough losses today," said head coach Jen Starek. "Our pitching was really strong, but we needed to get the offense going a little more. Overall it was a really good trip, and now we're getting ready for our final weekend tournament."

Sophomore Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) led the River Hawks offensively on the day, recording two hits across the doubleheader and scoring the team's lone run in game one. Freshman Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) also added a hit in the opener, while junior Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.), freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and sophomore Kate Hardy (Alexandria, Va.) each tallied hits during the twin bill.

In the circle, junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) delivered a strong outing in game one, tossing 8.1 innings with six strikeouts in the extra-inning contest. Senior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) followed with an impressive performance in game two, allowing just one hit while striking out eight across 6.1 innings, matching her career-high in strikeouts.

Game 1: UMass Lowell 1, George Mason 2 (9 inn.)
The River Hawks jumped in front early in the first inning. Spinello-Branch reached on a single before Rowley followed with a base hit to put two runners on. Moments later, sophomore Madi Wade (Hagerstown, Md.) drove in the game's first run with an RBI fielder's choice, giving Lowell a 1–0 lead.

George Mason responded in the third inning when Tess Altevers Harris doubled to left field to bring home the tying run.

From there, both teams settled into a pitcher's duel. DeCitise worked out of multiple pressure situations in the circle, while the River Hawks defense came through with several key plays to keep the Patriots from taking the lead.

Lowell threatened in several late innings but was unable to break through, sending the game into extra innings. After a scoreless eighth frame, George Mason secured the win in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI double down the left field line.

Game 2: UMass Lowell 0, George Mason 1
The second game of the day featured another tight defensive battle between the two teams.

LaCedra was dominant in the circle for the River Hawks, striking out eight while limiting George Mason to just one hit through 6.1 innings.

Behind her, the Lowell defense continued to make key plays throughout the afternoon. Rowley and Spinello-Branch teamed up for a strikeout-throwout double play to erase a baserunner, while Wade highlighted the defensive effort with a diving play at first base to record the final out of an inning.

Hardy also provided an offensive spark for the River Hawks, recording the team's first hit of the game after working a full-count at-bat.

George Mason ultimately broke through in the fifth inning, pushing across the game's lone run on a fielder's choice.

The River Hawks mounted a late rally in the seventh inning, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate, but the Patriots escaped the jam to secure the 1–0 victory.

Up Next
The River Hawks return to Massachusetts this weekend for a pair of games at Boston University, where they will face the host Terriers and Brown.