LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell softball team (12–13, 3–0 AE) completed a series sweep of Maine with a pair of victories on Saturday afternoon at River View Field, earning a 13–5 win in five innings before securing a 5–1 decision in the nightcap.

Freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) led the River Hawks offensively across the doubleheader, totaling three hits, three runs scored and three RBI. Sophomore Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) added three hits and three RBI, while freshman Caroline Calkins (Orting, Wash.) drove in three runs on the day.

In the circle, senior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) earned the win in game one, while junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) delivered a dominant complete-game performance in game two, striking out nine and allowing just one run.

Game 1: UMass Lowell 13, Maine 5
The River Hawks came out swinging in the opener, plating eight runs in the first inning. Van Alstyne sparked the rally, and a combination of walks, singles and aggressive baserunning helped Lowell build an early 8–0 advantage. 

UMass Lowell continued to pour it on in the second, scoring five more runs to extend the lead to 13–0. RBI hits from Baumes, Elizabeth Neeld (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) and Calkins highlighted the inning as the River Hawks capitalized on early opportunities to take control.

Maine answered with four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome as the River Hawks secured the run-rule victory. 

Game 2: UMass Lowell 5, Maine 1
The nightcap remained tight early, with both teams held scoreless through the first three innings. Maine broke through in the fourth to take a 1–0 lead, but the River Hawks quickly responded.

In the bottom half of the inning, sophomore Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) doubled to drive in Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) and even the score at 1–1.

UMass Lowell took control in the sixth. With runners on base, Santiago worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in the go-ahead run before Calkins delivered a two-run double to extend the lead. The River Hawks added another run in the inning to push the advantage to 5–1. 

DeCitise closed the door from there, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out nine to secure the complete-game victory and the series sweep.

Up Next
The River Hawks head to Amherst on Tuesday, March 24 for a 2 p.m. matchup against the Minutewomen.